Wildrye (Leymus secalinus): A Mysterious Native Grass Worth Investigating
If you’ve stumbled across the name Leymus secalinus in your native plant research, you’re not alone in feeling a bit puzzled. This particular wildrye species is something of an enigma in the native plant world – one of those plants that seems to exist in botanical records but remains frustratingly elusive when you’re trying to learn more about it for your garden.
What We Know (And What We Don’t)
Leymus secalinus belongs to the wildrye family, a group of native grasses known for their hardiness and ecological value. Like other members of the Leymus genus, it’s a graminoid – essentially a grass or grass-like plant that typically forms clumps or spreads through underground rhizomes.
However, here’s where things get tricky: reliable, detailed information about this specific species is remarkably scarce. While the genus Leymus includes several well-documented and widely available native grasses, L. secalinus appears to be either extremely rare, regionally specific, or potentially misidentified in some sources.
The Challenge with Lesser-Known Native Species
This situation highlights an important aspect of native gardening – not all native plants are created equal when it comes to availability and garden suitability. Some species exist primarily in very specific ecological niches or have such limited distributions that they’re not practical choices for most home gardens.
When encountering a plant like Leymus secalinus with limited information, it’s worth considering whether you might be looking for one of its better-known relatives instead.
Better-Documented Wildrye Alternatives
If you’re interested in adding native wildrye grasses to your landscape, consider these well-established alternatives:
- Canada Wildrye (Elymus canadensis) – A tall, graceful grass perfect for prairie gardens and natural areas
- Blue Wildrye (Elymus glaucus) – A shorter option with attractive blue-green foliage
- Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) – A large, dramatic grass for western gardens
- Russian Wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) – Though not native to North America, it’s widely naturalized and drought-tolerant
What to Do If You Think You’ve Found Leymus secalinus
If you believe you’ve encountered this species in the wild or found it available from a specialized native plant source, proceed with caution and curiosity:
- Verify the identification with local botanical experts or extension services
- Check with your state’s native plant society for regional expertise
- Consider whether it might be a locally adapted ecotype of a more common species
- If it is indeed L. secalinus and it’s rare, ensure any plant material is ethically and legally sourced
General Wildrye Growing Tips
Should you find verified Leymus secalinus or choose one of its relatives, most wildrye grasses share similar growing preferences:
- Soil: Well-draining soils, often tolerant of poor or sandy conditions
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Generally drought-tolerant once established
- Maintenance: Cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth
- Propagation: Division of clumps or from seed
The Bottom Line
While Leymus secalinus remains something of a botanical mystery, this shouldn’t discourage your native gardening journey. Sometimes the most rewarding discoveries come from diving deeper into plant families and finding the well-documented species that can provide similar ecological benefits and aesthetic appeal.
If you’re set on growing wildrye grasses, start with the proven performers mentioned above. They’ll give you all the beauty and wildlife benefits of native grasses while being much easier to source, grow, and enjoy in your garden. And who knows? Your research into the genus might just help solve the mystery of L. secalinus along the way.
