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STREAMBANK <br />WHEATGRASS <br />Elymus lanceolatus <br />Moderately tolerant of saline sodic soils. Occurs <br />on well-drained sites with water tables at 3 feet <br />or greater depths. Tolerant of early spring flood- <br />ing. Moderately shade and grazing-tolerant. a <br />Native stands occur in the 8 to 20" ppt. Seeded <br />strains best adapted to the 10 to 18" ppt. <br />Remains green for much of the summer. Low- <br />growing and less of a fire hazard than taller <br />species. Starts growth in spring and matures <br />about 2 weeks earlier than western wheatgrass. <br />Makes fair summer and good fall regrowth. <br />CD <br />CD <br />Gd <br />CULTURE <br />Drill seed 1/4 - 3/4" deep on fine-textured soils v? <br />N <br />and up to 1" deep on coarser soils. Firming C <br />seedbeds before seeding is beneficial. Cover o <br />broadcasted seed shallow. Supplemental mulch <br />and light irrigation on erosive and droughty <br />sites ensure better establishment. Seed 5.5 to 11 0 <br />lbs. PLS per acre. Rate should be increased for 000 <br />N <br />broadcasting. Seed either in early spring, late <br />fall, or August-September with ample moisture. ? <br />Seedling vigor for the species is only fair, weak- <br />er than creasted and intermediate wheatgrass. <br />ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION <br />Native of western U.S., northern Great Plains <br />and western Intermountain region of the U.S. <br />Drought-tolerant, cool season, long-lived, <br />perennial sod former. Very similar to western <br />wheatgrass in life-form but generally smaller <br />growth form. Single- stemmed to small tufted, <br />about 12" tall, with open spreading rhizomes. <br />Root system dense, fibrous, and has shallow rhi- <br />zomes. Leaf blades narrow, usually inrolled and <br />scabrous, mostly blue-green. Inflorescence an <br />erect, terminal spike up to 8" long. <br />GROWTH HABITS AND ENVIRON- <br />MENTAL PREFERENCES <br />Most common on medium to coarse-textured <br />soils, but adapted for seeding on clayey soils. <br />USE AND MANAGEMENT <br />Considered a special-purpose grass, usable <br />chiefly for soil stabilization of disturbed lands, <br />including roadsides, airports, recreation areas, <br />and construction sites with little maintenance. <br />Also used on drier parts of ditches, canals, <br />waterways, and for mine spoils. Widely used for <br />low ground cover. Avoid grazing of seedling <br />stands until they are firmly rooted and headed. <br />Well-adapted in the intermountain area. 'Critana' <br />thickspike generally outperforms streambank in <br />the northern Great Plains on sandy soils. <br />IMPROVED VARIETIES <br />`Sodar' released from Idaho and Washington. <br />81 <br />4