Elymus sp.
Wild-rye, wheat grass, squirreltail, Squirreltail
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Elymus sp. (Wild-rye) is a native California perennial in the Poaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Hordeum: Elymus has rounded glume backs; Hordeum has all glumes narrow and bristle-like.; vs Leymus: Elymus has 2-8 spikelets per node; Leymus has just 1-2 spikelets per node.; vs Taeniatherum: Elymus is perennial with robust growth; Taeniatherum is a weedy annual with very long awns.; vs Lolium: Elymus shows multiple spikelets per node; Lolium has single spikelets edgewise to the stem.; vs Thinopyrum: Elymus has prominent auricles; Thinopyrum typically lacks auricles or has very small ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elymus sp. native to California?
Yes. Elymus sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Elymus sp. belong to?
Elymus sp. is in the Poaceae family, genus Elymus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.