Elymus virginicus

Elymus virginicus (common names Virginia wildrye, common eastern wild rye, terrell grass) is a perennial bunchgrass native to the eastern United States. Virginia wild rye is one of the few cool season native grasses found in the east Texas area. It is extremely palatable to livestock and will decrease without proper grazing management. It spreads via seed and tillering. It can be confused with Canadian wild rye which is a more robust plant with longer awns. It should be cut early in the season when used for hay to avoid ergot contamination. Northern Missouri Germplasm Virginia wild rye was released in 1999 by the Missouri Plant Material Center for use in northern Missouri. Virginia wildrye, when sown in combination with Prairie cordgrass, has shown promise in competing with the invasive Japanese Knotweed.