Elymus riparius – Riverbank Wild Rye – 1.25-Quart

Native throughout virtually all of New York in riparian (streamside) habitats where it helps reduce soil erosion. It’s also a good choice for moist meadows where quick growth in Spring (all members of the genus are “cool-season growers”) is needed. The large inflorescences and seed heads are not as distinctive as those of our more well-known warm season grasses such as little and big bluestem, but they are an important food for wildlife. Can also be found growing in wet woodlands and it has more shade tolerance than most other species of Wild Rye. Caterpillars of the Northern Pearly Eye butterfly (Lethe anthedon) feed on this grass.