Canada wildrye is a cool season, short lived perennial.

• Seed heads turn a russet red to tan in the late summer season.
• Will grow through the summer season or re-grow in the fall, if moisture conditions are favorable.
• Forage value is good for cattle, horses and moderate to fair for sheep and other small wildlife.

  The Gosiute Indians of Utah included Canada wildrye seeds as part of their diet.

For a complete Refuge species list

For in-depth plant information
connect with the U.S. Dept Agriculture Plant Data Base

Last Updated: 1/14/09

Plants that grow naturally on this short grass prairie are called "native" plants. The Refuge has four major groups.

• Grasses
• Wildflowers
• Shrubs
• Trees

Vegetation on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal is a mixture of different grasses, shrubs. semi-shrubs, forbes and wildflowers.

Several species of prairie grass grow on the Refuge but the most common are the perennial BLUE GRAMA and WESTERN WHEAT GRASS.

Learn more about prairie grasses at
FRONT RANGE LIVING.