Roadcrest Crested Wheatgrass

$5.90
  • Long-lived with a deep root system
  • Ease of establishment, longevity and broad value
  • Used extensively for reclamation and erosion control
  • Minimum order quantity of 3 pounds

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Map of Crested Wheatgrass Distribution Area
Crested Wheatgrass Distribution Area

Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation

32in.

Average Max. Height

Roadcrest Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) is a cool season perennial bunchgrass that is long-lived with a deep root system.  It starts growth in early spring and flowers in late spring. Requires a minimum of 10 inches of annual precipitation. Recommended for use along roadsides or similar low-maintenance turf application areas. It prefers well drained soils, and does not adapt to poorly-drained soils or heavy clay soils. It is more sod forming and less clumpy than other crested wheatgrasses.

Roadcrest Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) was introduced from Russia, Siberia and Turkey, perhaps as early as 1898. It is a cool season perennial bunchgrass, without rhizomes, growing to a height of 1 to 2 feet. It starts growth in early spring and flowers in late spring. It reproduces from seeds and tillers and may regrow in the fall if moisture is sufficient. It is long-lived with a deep root system. It has good seedling vigor. Roadcrest was developed by ARS in Logan, Utah and released in 1998. It is a long-lived perennial, and is significantly more rhizomatous than Ephraim, the only other somewhat rhizomatous crested wheatgrass cultivar. Roadcrest is recommended for use along roadsides or similar low-maintenance turf application areas in 10 inch and higher rainfall areas.

Crested Wheatgrass can be found on most rangelands of the intermountain west. It is adapted from 2,500-9,000 feet, though it performs best between 4-6,000. It prefers well drained soils, it is not adapted to poorly-drained soils or heavy clay soils. It requires a minimum of 10″ annual precipitation. It has fair tolerance to alkali and acidity.

Crested Wheatgrass produces fair forage. As the grass matures is becomes harsh and protein content drops rapidly. It does, however, yield well and is highly palatable in the spring. It is used extensively for reclamation, stabilization and erosion control. It is a primary component of our Dryland Pasture Mix. Because of ease of establishment, longevity and broad value it is planted more frequently in the intermountain west and desert southwest than any other grass species for dryland pasture, reclamation and stabilization.

Agropyron cristatum should not be confused with Agropyron desertorum, though the two are closely related. Hycrest is a hybrid between A. cristatum and A. desertorum.

Other Crested Wheatgrass Varieties

There are a number of crested wheatgrass varieties. Use the downloadable documents to help you make the choice most appropriate for your needs.

  • Fairway: introduced/released 1983, from Ankara Turkey. Fairway’s rhizomatous growth habit make it well suited for soil stabilization.
  • Ephraim: released in 1994, a hybrid of four accessions. Quality forage value, high seedling vigor.
  • Roadcrest:  shorter and has a finer leaf texture that other varieties, and as the name suggests, is used for roadside reclamation and low maintenance turf areas. It is more sod forming and less clumpy than other crested wheat grasses.
  • Kirk: introduced/released from Siberia in 1297. Short and fine-stemmed. Capable of forming sod in dryland areas.
  • Douglas:  Produces less forage but is leafier than other varieties and stays green longer.
  • Hycrest: is a hybrid between Agropyron cristatum and Agropyron desertorum. It is easier to establish than wither of it’s parents.

For additional information see the USDA PLANTS database.


Table of all Crested, Desert and Siberian Wheatgrasses

Common Name & Variety

Scientific Name

Crested WheatgrassAgropyron cristatum
DouglasAgropyron cristatum var. douglas
EphraimAgropyron cristatum var. ephraim
RoadcrestAgropyron cristatum var. roadcrest
ParkwayAgropyron cristatum var. parkway
RuffAgropyron cristatum var. ruff
Desert or Standard Crested WheatgrassAgropyron desertorum
NordanAgropyron desertorum var. nordan
SummitAgropyron desertorum var. summit
Siberian WheatgrassAgropyron fragile
VavilovAgropyron fragile var. vavilov
Vavilov IIAgropyron fragile var. vavilov II
P-27Agropyron fragile var. P-27
Hybrid Crested/Desert WheatgrassAgropyron cristatum X Agropyron desertorum
HycrestAgropyron cristatum X Agropyron desertorum var. Hycrest
Hycrest IIAgropyron cristatum X Agropyron desertorum var. Hycrest II
CD IIAgropyron cristatum X Agropyron desertorum var. CD II
CRESTED WHEATGRASS
(Agropyron cristatum)

Crested Wheatgrass NRCS Plant Guide

PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide & Fact Sheet

Prepared By & Species Coordinator Daniel G. Ogle, USDA NRCS Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho.

Download PDF
CRESTED WHEATGRASS
(Agropyron cristatum)

Crested Wheatgrass NRCS Fact Sheet

PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide & Fact Sheet

Prepared By & Species Coordinator: Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist USDA NRCS Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho

Download PDF
BREEDING CRESTED WHEATGRASS

Breeding of the Crested Wheatgrass Complex (Agropyron spp.) for North American Temperate Rangeland Agriculture and Conservation

Joseph G. Robins and Kevin B. Jensen
Forage and Range Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Logan, UT

Download PDF

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.

  • Roadcrest Crested Wheatgrass
  • Agropyron cristatum

Who is Great Basin Seed?

Great Basin Seed is a seed company that specializes in seed sales and consultation for home, ranch, farm, range and reclamation. We have been a leader in the seed industry since 1974.

Our History

We've been in the seed business since 1974.

What We Offer

We offer seed for home, farm, ranch, range and reclamation projects.

Meet the Gang

We have the best employees in the world! We are proud of the work they do, and trust them to serve you!

Right: Company founder Lloyd and his wife Paula Stevens in a wildflower seed production field circa 1977

Quick Plant Facts
Common Name:

Crested Wheatgrass

Scientific Name:

Origin:

Seeds per Pound:

Best Time to Sow:

Max Sowing Depth:

Sowing Rate

3-7 PLS lbs. per Acre

Growth Season:

Growth Height:

Min. Precipitation

9-10 Inches Minimum

Root Form

Bunchgrass

Plant Type:

Lifespan:

Blogpost

https://greatbasinseeds.com/crested-wheatgrass-for-reclamation/

Hardiness Zones:

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