Wildrye: A Lesser-Known Native Grass Worth Knowing About
If you’ve stumbled across the name Elymus ×mossii in your native plant research, you might be wondering what exactly this wildrye is all about. Well, you’re not alone in your curiosity! This particular native grass is something of a botanical mystery – it’s out there in the wild, but it’s not exactly making headlines in gardening circles.
What is Elymus ×mossii?
Elymus ×mossii is a perennial native grass that belongs to the wildrye family. The × in its name is a dead giveaway that this is a hybrid species, which might explain why there’s not a treasure trove of information about it floating around. Sometimes called simply wildrye, this graminoid (that’s fancy talk for grass-like plant) represents one of nature’s interesting botanical experiments.
You might also see it listed under its synonym ×Agroelymus mossii Lepage in some botanical references, but don’t let that confuse you – it’s the same plant with a different scientific name.
Where Does This Wildrye Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting. This native grass has a rather unusual distribution pattern. You’ll find it growing naturally in Alberta and Quebec in Canada, and then – in a geographic leap that would make any botanist do a double-take – it also shows up in New Mexico. That’s quite the range for a plant that doesn’t seem to be particularly common anywhere!
Should You Grow Elymus ×mossii?
Here’s the honest truth: while this wildrye is undoubtedly a legitimate native species, it’s not exactly what you’d call a garden center darling. The lack of readily available cultivation information suggests that this particular hybrid hasn’t made its way into mainstream horticulture – at least not yet.
If you’re passionate about native grasses and happen to live in one of the regions where this species naturally occurs, it could be an interesting addition to a native plant collection. However, the limited cultivation information means you’d be somewhat flying blind when it comes to growing requirements and garden performance.
Better-Known Native Alternatives
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing native wildrye but want something with a more established track record in gardens, consider these alternatives:
- Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) – widely available and well-documented
- Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus) – excellent for woodland gardens
- Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) – beautiful blue-green foliage
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing requirements for Elymus ×mossii aren’t well-documented in horticultural literature. As a native grass, it would likely prefer conditions similar to other wildrye species, but without specific cultivation trials, it’s hard to make definitive recommendations.
If you do manage to source this plant, treat it like you would other native perennial grasses: provide well-draining soil, avoid overwatering once established, and give it space to develop its natural growth habit.
The Bottom Line
Elymus ×mossii represents one of those fascinating corners of the native plant world – a legitimate native species that hasn’t quite made it into the gardening mainstream. While there’s nothing wrong with growing it if you can source it responsibly, most gardeners would be better served by choosing one of the more readily available and better-understood wildrye species.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that remain a bit mysterious, and this native wildrye certainly fits that bill!
