Indian Ricegrass
- Scientific name: Orzhyopsis hymenoides
- A widely adapted native grass
- Drought tolerant, found on most range sites
- Excellent in sandy, gravelly, and shallow soils
- Valuable for domestic livestock and big game animals
- Excellent source protein for upland game birds
- Highly valued for wildlife habitat improvement
- Widely used on disturbed sites, range mixes
Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation
24in.
Average Max. Height
A widely adapted native grass of the intermountain west. Drought tolerant and found on most range sites. Grows at elevations between 3,000 and 10,000 feet and adapted to a wide variety of soils. Most frequently occurs in sandy, gravelly, and shallow soils, frequently found in dunes. Valuable grass for domestic livestock and big game animals. Excellent food source of high protein food for upland game birds. Highly valued for wildlife habitat improvement, disturbed sites, mine reclamation and range mixes.
Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) is the state grass of Utah. It is one of the more widely adapted native grasses of the intermountain west rangelands. It is drought tolerant and found on most range sites. It grows at elevations between 3,000 and 10,000 feet and is dapted to a wide variety of soils. It most frequently occurs in sandy, gravelly, and shallow soils in the upland and semi-desert climatic zones. It is also adapted to soils high in lime. It is moderately salt and alkali tolerant. It does not do well on wet or poorly drained soils. This species is an excellent choice for well drained, sandy soils and is frequently found in dunes and on sandy desert plains.
Indian Ricegrass (Orzyopsis hymenoides) is a key species on Utah foothills and semi-desert range. It is high in protein and is one of the more valuable grasses for domestic livestock and big game animals, providing excellent forage for spring and summer use. It is especially valuable for winter grazing because the plants cure well and lower plant parts remain somewhat green. Due to the abundance of plump, nutritious seed, it is an excellent food source for upland game birds, particularly mourning doves, pheasants and others. The seeds are high in protein.
Indian Ricegrass is a very valued and desired species for wildlife habitat improvement, disturbed sites, mine reclamation and range mixes.
Indian Ricegrass is also know by the scientific synonyms Stipa hymenodies and Orzyopsis hymenoides. It was used by various Indian tribes to make flour.
Synonyms: Oryzopsis hymenoides, Stipa hymenoides, Achnatherum hymenoides
***click the “Quick Plant Facts” tab for more information.
Indian Ricegrass NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
Indian Ricegrass NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
Prepared By & Species Coordinator: Daniel G. Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist USDA, NRCS, Boise, Idaho
Helpful Links
Additional information about this product can be found on the academic websites linked below.
Synonyms
Many plants have more than one common and scientific name. We've listed a few of them below.
- Indian Ricegrass
- Oryzopsis hymenoide
- Indian Millet
- Sand-grass
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Quick Plant Facts
Common Name: | Indian Ricegrass |
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Seeds per lb | 162,000 |
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Root Form | Bunchgrass |
Sowing Rate | 6-12 PLS lbs. per Acre |
Min. Precipitation | 6-9 Inches Minimum |
Best Sowing Time | Fall, Spring |
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Sun & Shade Tolerance: | Full sun, Partial shade |
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