Crested Wheatgrass / Agropyron cristatum

Took this photo at Bridlewood Wetlands on 21 July 2011, at the beginning of a drive westwards. Crested Wheatgrass is a non-native grass that is unfortunately replacing many species of native grass.

'Introduced from Eurasia. Abundant. Each plant has thousands of fibrous roots extending to depths of 4m, totalling in excess of 5km, depriving native plants of moisture and ultimately nutrients; a serious threat to our native biodiversity. Stems, densely tufted, 3-4dm tall. Leaves, blades, 2-4mm wide. Flowers, spike oblong-oval; arranged in flattened comb-like cluster, 4-7cm long, 1.5-2.5cm broad; ......... Habitat: roadsides, disturbed areas." From talkaboutwildlife.ca.

"In Alberta, Crested wheatgrass is an extremely competitive grass species that has the ability to out compete many of our native grass species, and as such is threatening the biodiversity of our prairie ecosystem."

cdn.harmonyapp.com/assets/50ad0499dabe9d4a85006a0c/OGCWhe...