Tall Oatgrass

Scientific Name: Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P. Beauv. ex J. Presl & C. Presl

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Arrhenatherum P. Beauv./ Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P. Beauv. ex J. Presl & C. Presl

Tall Oatgrass
General Information
Usda SymbolAREL3
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsAREL3

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Tall Oatgrass.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Erosion control: Tall oatgrass is a useful conservation grass for cover and forage on surface mined lands and marginal pastureland. Livestock: Tall oatgrass can be used for livestock forage beginning in its second growing season; however, it is not recommended as a major component of forage seedings as other grasses are superior for this purpose.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Arrhenatherum elatius, tall oatgrass, is a perennial, cool-season bunchgrass generally grown in Europe where it once was a component of the grasslands. Culms are erect, from 3 to 5 feet tall. Leaf blades, from 3/8 to 3/4 inches wide, are flat and rough to the touch. Seed heads are narrow panicles 6 to 10 inches long with long, twisted, angled, exposed awns.

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Tall Oatgrass.

Distribution

Introduced from Europe in the early 1800s, tall oatgrass has become naturalized in meadows, fields, open ground, waste places, and roadsides from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, and California. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Joseph D. Ruffner USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, Maryland

Establishment

Tall oatgrass is easily established, adapted to excessively drained low fertility soils, and compatible with legumes. A firm, weed-free seedbed is necessary for good stands. Spring seedings produce best results as the seedlings are not winter hardy. Seeding rates should range from 5 to 8 pounds pure live seed using hulled seed. Seed should be planted approximately 1/4 inch deep and cultipacked.

Management

Apply lime and fertilizer according to soil test results when seeding and for maintenance. Use of herbicides in the establishment year to control broadleaf weeds will improve success of the planting. Mow or graze for control in subsequent years.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum145
Fire ToleranceHigh
Fire ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fertility RequirementLow
Drought ToleranceMedium
Drought ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-43
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Hedge ToleranceNone
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Shade ToleranceTolerant
Shade ToleranceIntermediate
Salinity ToleranceMedium
Salinity ToleranceMedium
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Precipitation, Minimum32
Precipitation, Minimum32
Precipitation, Maximum50
Precipitation, Maximum45
pH, Minimum5.3
pH, Minimum5.0
pH, Maximum7.3
pH, Maximum7.0
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Hedge ToleranceNone


Morphology/Physiology

Active Growth PeriodSpring
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Resprout AbilityNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Fall ConspicuousNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
BloatNone
BloatNone
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Resprout AbilityNo
Foliage TextureCoarse
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)4.0
Growth RateModerate
Height, Mature (feet)4.0
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureMedium
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth RateModerate


Reproduction

Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Seed per Pound189120
Seed per Pound189120
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodEarly Summer
Bloom PeriodEarly Summer
Commercial AvailabilityNo Known Source
Commercial AvailabilityNo Known Source
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by CormNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer


Suitability/Use

Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Tall Oatgrass

Tall Oatgrass

Tall Oatgrass

Tall Oatgrass

Tall Oatgrass

Tall Oatgrass

Tall Oatgrass

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