Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love
Bluebunch wheatgrass is a native, perennial, cool season bunchgrass with fibrous roots, sometimes forming clumps as wide as 150 cm (59 in.). Stems range from 60 to130 cm (24 to 51 in.) tall, with narrow leaves mostly originating from the stem.
Bluebunch wheatgrass reproduces primarily through seed, but may reproduce vegetatively with short rhizomes on wetter sites. Bluebunch wheatgrass is an important species in British Columbia grasslands, occurring mostly in the south, central, and southeast parts of the province. It has historical importance in the development of the livestock industry in British Columbia because of its value for fall and winter grazing. It is also an important indicator of good ecological condition.
There are two recognized forms or subspecies of bluebunch wheatgrass. The smooth or awnless form (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. inermis) is more common in British Columbia, although the awned form (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata) is also found. These two subspecies differ by only one gene, and there is some question whether this merits the distinction of the two subspecies.