How To Order: Quantity options listed represent bulk weights. Examples: 1 = 1 lbs, 25 = 25 bs.
 
 
Common Name: Indian Ricegrass
Scientific Name: Achnatherum hymenoides
Native / Introduced: Native
Main Uses:
~Mine Reclamation
~Wildfire Restoration
~Rangeland and Watershed
~Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Height: 1/2 - 3 feet
Root Type: Bunchgrass
Growing Season: Cool
Soil Types: Most soils, but best on sandy or silty soils
Tolerances: Saline and Alkaline
Sun or Shade: Full Sunlight
Minimum Precipitation: 6-8 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Planting Seed Rate: 6-12 lbs/ac
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 162,000
Optimal Planting Season: Fall
Planting Depth: 1/2 - 1 1/2 inches
Stratification Required: Cold for 2-4 weeks
 
Description
Indian Ricegrass is a cool-season bunchgrass that is known for its drought, heat, and cold tolerance. It is adapted to a variety of soil types, although it does best on sandy and silty soils. Indian Ricegrass is typically found at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 feet, and it is not tolerant to wet or poorly drained soils. It does, however, have a fair tolerance to saline and alkaline soil conditions.

Indian Ricegrass is a very important and highly palatable forage producer. It is known for its nutritious qualities and is often consumed by livestock and wildlife alike. It has moderate tolerance to grazing, making it a popular choice for range management. In addition to its forage value, Indian Ricegrass is also known for its palatable seeds which are an excellent food source for birds and small mammals, making Indian Ricegrass an important component of wildlife habitat.

One of the challenges with Indian Ricegrass is that its seed has a very high dormancy, which means that it may take 3 to 5 years for a stand to establish. However, despite this challenge, Indian ricegrass is still a very valuable species for a range of applications, including mining and related reclamation, range management, watershed improvement, and wildfire restoration.
 
Resources
NRCS Plant Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ACHY
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_achy.pdf