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| ## Virginia wildrye {#virginia-wildrye .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Elymus virginicus* L.                                                |
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| Plant Symbol = ELVI3                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Kika de la Garza Plant Materials Center

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Livestock:* Virginia wildrye (*Elymus virginicus*) is very palatable
and nutritious, and is readily eaten by all classes of livestock in the
spring and fall while it is green. It can be used in range restoration
as a cool-season grass, and in native range seed mixes. It can also be
used as a cool season pasture grass in shaded, wooded, or riparian
areas. Virginia wildrye is a good forage producer. It can produce as
much as 3,300 lbs of dry weight forage per dryland acre.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator
values).![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in"
height="3.4375in"}

####### 

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Virginia wildrye is a native, cool season, perennial bunchgrass which
grows two to three feet in height. It reproduces by tillering and seed.
Virginia wildrye self-fertilizes, but has been known to hybridize and
introgress (outcrossing depression).

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Virginia wildrye prefers moist soils, high soil fertility, heavier soil
textures, and it is shade tolerant. It can be found scattered on shaded
banks, along fencerows and in open woodlands. Virginia wildrye can be
found throughout the United States except for Nevada, California, and
Oregon. In Texas, it can be found occasionally throughout most regions
with the exception of the most western fifth of the state.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in" height="3.4375in"}

Britton & Brown 1913

Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Virginia wildrye is best established from seed. The Kika de la Garza
Plant Materials Center in Kingsville, Texas has been looking at two
collections of Virignia wildrye that are adapted to South and South
Central Texas. We have had consistent germination percentages above 85
percent. East Texas Plant Material Center in Nacogdoches, Texas is also
evaluating this species for collections adapted to the northern and
eastern portions of Texas and the Southern part of Oklahoma.

For South and South Central Texas, plantings should be done in the early
fall on a clean, firm, weed-free seedbed, with adequate soil moisture.
Planting depth will vary according to the soil type of the planting
location. An emergence study conducted by the Kika de la Garza PMC
(1998) found that seeds should be planted from ¼ - ½" deep on clay soil
type, and up to 1" deep for sandier soils.

Virignia wildrye can be drilled at a minimum of ten pounds of pure live
seed per acre, or broadcast at twenty pounds of pure live seed per acre.
If it is a critical area planting or if dense coverage is desired,
double the seeding rate. When including Virginia wildrye in a seed
mixture, adjust the seeding rate accordingly. The planting should be
considered successful if 1-2 plants are present per square foot planted.
Stands are best established and maintained if they are not planted next
to areas with a large concentration of aggressive warm-season grasses,
such as K-R Bluestem or Buffelgrass.

Virginia wildrye is also a good seed producer. It can produce as much as
400 pounds of seed per dryland acre per year. Virginia wildrye contains
approximately 80,000 seeds per pound.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Virginia wildrye should not be grazed the first year, in order to allow
the formation of a strong root system. Once established, graze on a
rotational basis throughout the cool-season. Optimum forage height for
use is between 4 and 10 inches.

Viriginia wildrye can be grown dryland or with irrigation. It should not
be fertilized after planting until the new plants have become
established. After the stand is established, fertilize as indicated by
the results of recent soil tests.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Virginia wildrye is susceptible to damage from white grubworms. Stands
may be treated with diazinon, other grub-killing pesticides, or
biological controls to limit damage. Treatment should be applied when
the grubs are in the active phase, usually in the late spring or early
summer. Consult with your local agricultural extension office for the
treatment and timing most effective for your area.

For additional assistance regarding the production and establishment of
Virginia wildrye, please contact the Kika de la Garza Plant Material
Center at (361) 595-1313.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Northern Missouri Germplasm Virginia Wildrye was released in 1999 by the
Missouri Plant Material Center for use in northern Missouri.

#####  Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*John Lloyd-Reilley*, Manager

*Elizabeth Kadin*, Research Assistant

*Shelly D. Maher*, Research Assistant

Kika de la Garza Plant Materials Center

Kingsville, Texas

##### 

##### Edited: 01Oct2002 SDM; Edited 05Nov2003 jlk; 06jun06 jsp {#edited-01oct2002-sdm-edited-05nov2003-jlk-06jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*