Checklist » Poaceae » Pascopyrum smithii
Last updated 12/27/2023 by David Giblin.
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey[FNA24, HC2]
western wheatgrass

Publication: Amer. J. Bot. 72(5): 772. 1985.

Origin: Native

selected vouchers: WTU

Notes: FNA24: "Pascopyrum smithii is native to sagebrush deserts and mesic alkaline meadows, growing in both clay and sandy soils. Pascopyrum smithii is probably derived from a Leymus triticoides–Elymus lanceolatus cross (Dewey 1975); it is frequently confused with both. Leymus triticoides differs in usually having 2 spikelets per node and glumes that are narrower at the base. In E. lanceolatus, the leaves tend to be more evenly distributed and the glumes have straight midveins, become narrow beyond midlength, and tend to be wider at 3/4 length (0.35–1.6 mm). In addition, the first rachilla internodes of E. lanceolatus are often longer and narrower (the length/width ratio averaging 2.6, versus 1.8 in P. smithii). No infraspecific taxa of P. smithii are recognized here."

References: (none)

Synonyms & Misapplied Names:
Agropyron molle (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Rydb.
Agropyron smithii Rydb.[HC]
Agropyron smithii Rydb. var. molle (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) M.E. Jones
Agropyron smithii Rydb. var. palmeri (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) A. Heller
Elymus smithii (Rydb.) Gould
Elytrigia smithii (Rydb.) Nevski
Elytrigia smithii (Rydb.) Nevski var. mollis (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Beetle