Wildrye: Understanding the Elusive Elymus tangutorum
If you’ve stumbled across the name wildrye or Elymus tangutorum in your native plant research, you might be wondering what exactly this grass is and whether it belongs in your garden. Well, you’re not alone in your curiosity – this particular member of the wildrye family is something of a botanical mystery when it comes to home gardening.
What Is Wildrye?
Elymus tangutorum is a grass species belonging to the Poaceae family, which includes all true grasses. Like its cousins in the wildrye genus, this plant is a grass or grass-like species that would naturally fit into the broader category of native graminoids – those wonderful plants that add texture, movement, and structure to natural landscapes.
The species name tangutorum gives us a clue about its origins, likely referring to the Tangut people and regions of Central Asia, suggesting this grass has roots in high-altitude or mountainous regions.
The Geographic Mystery
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating for curious gardeners): the exact native range and geographic distribution of Elymus tangutorum isn’t well-documented in readily available gardening resources. This suggests it may be either quite specialized in its habitat requirements or not commonly cultivated outside its native range.
Should You Grow It?
This is where we hit a bit of a roadblock. Unlike many popular native grasses, Elymus tangutorum doesn’t appear to have made the jump into mainstream horticulture or even specialized native plant cultivation. This could mean several things:
- It may have very specific growing requirements that make cultivation challenging
- It might not be readily available through typical plant sources
- Its ornamental value may be limited compared to other wildrye species
- It could be rare or specialized in its native habitat
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing wildrye grasses, you might want to consider better-documented alternatives that are more readily available and suitable for home gardens:
- Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) – A North American native that’s excellent for prairie gardens
- Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus) – Another well-behaved native option
- Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) – Beautiful blue-green foliage for western gardens
The Bottom Line
While Elymus tangutorum certainly exists as a species, it remains something of an enigma for home gardeners. Without clear information about its growing requirements, availability, or garden performance, it’s difficult to recommend for typical landscaping projects.
If you’re specifically researching this plant for academic purposes or you’ve encountered it in the wild, it’s worth noting that many Elymus species do provide valuable ecosystem services – they typically offer good soil stabilization, some wildlife habitat value, and can be important components of grassland ecosystems.
For most gardeners looking to add native grasses to their landscapes, sticking with well-documented, locally appropriate species will give you the best chance of success and the most reliable information for proper care and maintenance.
Moving Forward
If you’re determined to learn more about Elymus tangutorum, consider reaching out to:
- Local botanical gardens or arboreta
- University extension services
- Native plant societies in regions where it might occur
- Specialized grass or graminoid societies
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that remain a little mysterious – they remind us that there’s still so much to discover in the world of native plants!
