Ricegrass (×Achnella): A Northern Prairie Perennial Worth Knowing
If you’ve ever wandered through the northern prairies of Canada or the upper Great Plains, you might have encountered ricegrass without even knowing it. This perennial grass belongs to the genus ×Achnella, and while it might not be the showiest plant in your garden, it has some interesting qualities that make it worth understanding.
What Exactly Is Ricegrass?
Ricegrass is a perennial graminoid, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a grass or grass-like plant. The × symbol in its botanical name ×Achnella indicates this is a hybrid genus, making it somewhat of a botanical mystery. Like many prairie grasses, it’s built to last through tough conditions and comes back year after year.
Where Does It Call Home?
This grass has quite the northern range! It’s native to several Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. In the United States, you’ll find it naturalized in Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota – basically anywhere the northern prairie extends.
Should You Plant Ricegrass?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While ×Achnella ricegrass isn’t considered invasive, it is non-native to the lower 48 states, even though it has naturalized in some areas. As a responsible gardener, you might want to consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits but support local ecosystems more effectively.
If you’re gardening in its native Canadian range, this grass could be a great addition to prairie-style plantings or naturalized areas. However, detailed growing information for this specific species is quite limited, which makes it challenging to provide specific cultivation advice.
The Challenge of Growing ×Achnella
Unfortunately, specific growing conditions, USDA hardiness zones, and care requirements for ×Achnella are not well-documented. This lack of information makes it difficult to recommend specific planting and care strategies. If you’re interested in prairie grasses with similar characteristics, you might want to explore well-documented native alternatives in your area.
Better Native Alternatives
If you’re drawn to the idea of prairie grasses, consider these native alternatives depending on your location:
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) for most of North America
- Buffalo grass (Poaceae family) for central plains
- Native fescues for cooler regions
- Local sedges for wetter areas
The Bottom Line
While ×Achnella ricegrass is an interesting part of northern prairie ecosystems, the limited available information about its specific growing requirements makes it challenging to recommend for home gardeners. If you’re passionate about prairie restoration in areas where it’s native, consult with local native plant societies or extension services for guidance. For most gardeners, choosing well-documented native grasses will give you better results and stronger ecological benefits.
Remember, the best garden plants are those you can grow successfully while supporting your local ecosystem – and sometimes that means choosing the grass that’s better understood over the one that’s more mysterious!
