A variety of Distichlis palmeri, characterized by vigorous growth in salty soils, high grain yield and ideal form for harvest, and for human consumption.

DESCRIPTION 
The presently described plant is related to the grain and plants described 
in copending applications for plant patent filed by the present inventor 
entitled "Yensen 2" and "Yensen 3", assigned to the present assignee, 
filed concurrently herewith on Aug. 28, 1986, assigned Ser. Nos. 901,316 
and 901,204, respectively. 
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a plant of 
the family Poaceae and more particularly to a plant of the species 
Distichlis palmeri (Vasey) Fassett ex I. M. Johnston, commonly known as 
salt grass and is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant.

This new variety was discovered at test plots of Salt Weeds (an Arizona 
partnership) in Tucson, Ariz. 
The new variety was noted in test plantings wherein approximately 100,000 
seeds, seedlings and cuttings have been test planted under agricultural 
conditions on a total of 2.5 acres following over ten (10) years of study 
of salt-tolerant plants. The purpose of these large plantings was 
specifically to discover new varieties with crop potential and to learn 
their agronomic requirements. The new variety resulted from a bed 
seedling. 
Wild plants of Distichlis palmeri produce from near zero to four grams of 
grain per square meter. Yensen 1 can produce well over ten grams of grain 
per square meter. The optimum yields with respect to fertilizer and water 
levels of Yensen 1 are not known at this time. 
The new variety was first noted for its vigorous growth and ideal form and 
later for its high yield of grain on relatively short stalks. The stalks 
are erect and the grain heads are of a suitable height for combine 
harvest. 
The new variety is being reproduced via rhizomes in Tucson, Ariz., where a 
number of other varieties are also being observed. 
The new variety has a number of characteristics and desirable features 
distinguishing it as an improved variety. These characteristics are 
principally the vigorous growth, high yield and ideal form suitable for 
harvest (see FIG. 1). 
The following is a detailed description of the new variety: 
Parentage: A seedling from "in house" harvested caryopses (seeds) of 
Distichlis palmeri. 
Propagation: To date all rhizome shoots have held true to the 
distinguishing characteristics of the initial shoots and it is expected 
that plants from caryopses will also hold true to the distinguishing 
characteristics of the initial shoots as described herein. 
Culms: Rigid, erect, occasionally branched, glabrous, 20-50 cm high 
depending on rhizome age at inflorescence, 2-3 mm in diameter (see FIG. 
2). 
Rhizomes: Thick and scaled at nodes. 
Blades: Firm, rigid, ascending, pointed and pungent, involute (especially 
upon drying), distichous, glabrous to slightly puberulent, 3-5 MM basal 
width, 20-30 veins at base, typically 30-80 mm in length. 
Sheath: Glabrous to slightly puberulent, with a tuft of wooly hairs at 
either side of the mouth, ligule smooth with pubescence apically. 
Inflorescence: 
Panicle.--Erect, compoundly branched (often branched in two's), 4-8 cm in 
length and does not extend beyond the leaves. 
Spikelet.--With 5-9 flowers, subtending "bracts" infertile, 20-40 mm in 
length, 6-10 mm in width. 
Florets.--Lemma 10-15 in length decreasing slightly apically on the 
spikelet, 4-6 feint veins on either side of a weak keel. Palea 9-11 mm in 
length, length decreasing slightly apically on the spikelet. 
Caryopsis.--6-11 mm in length (including the bifurcated style), length 
decreasing slightly apically on the spikelet, 1-2 mm in width, 1-2 mm in 
height; embryo cover 2-4 mm in length; ventral surface indented with a 
longitudinal groove (except in unusually well-filled caryopses); anterior 
seed coat longitudinally wrinkled and posterior portion wrinkled into two 
rounded ventral keels and one rounded dorsal keel which extends to the 
bifurcation of the styles; surface texture with numerous longitudinal 
striae and light vertical rugae, glabrous, colored a coriaceous brown and 
tends to be darker anteriorly and lighter posteriorly.