Canadian Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

Physical Characteristics

Elymus canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

N. America - in most areas except the far south. Recorded, but not yet naturalized in N. Europe[50]

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked[105, 161, 177]. It can be ground into a flour and used to make bread. Quite fiddly to use, the seed is small and difficult to separate[K]. The seed was an important item of food for the Paiute Indians of south-western N. America[183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known