# Crested Wheatgrass (*agropyron cristatum*) Crested Wheatgrass is a hardy plant that grows in many places, making it a favorite for animals. Its lush green blades are perfect for munching and provide great cover for tiny critters. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Crested Wheatgrass thrives in grasslands and open fields. - **Also known as:** Agropyron, Crested Wheat, Wheatgrass ![Crested Wheatgrass](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/149947499/medium.jpg) Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/149947499) ## Appearance The Crested Wheatgrass is a hardy, bluish-green perennial grass forming dense clumps. It has stiff, upright stems topped with distinctive flattened, comb-like seed heads that appear in late spring, making it easy to identify among other grasses. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Poales - **Family:** Poaceae - **Genus:** Agropyron ## Interesting facts - Did you know Crested Wheatgrass has roots that can grow over 10 feet deep? Wow! - Farmers often plant this grass to feed cattle and other grazing animals. - It was brought to North America from Russia to help stop soil erosion. - Its unique seed head looks like a tiny hair comb or a zipper! ## Special abilities - **Drought Survivor:** Crested Wheatgrass has incredibly deep roots that help it find water far underground, allowing it to survive very dry periods. - **Soil Super-Binder:** Crested Wheatgrass can form dense root networks that hold soil firmly in place, helping prevent erosion on sloped land. - **Early Spring Eatery:** Crested Wheatgrass is very cold-tolerant and one of the first grasses to sprout green in spring, providing vital early food for animals. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-70 cm - **Spread:** 20-40 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Bison](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bison) (*Bison bison*) — An important food source for North American bison. - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Grazes on its leaves and shoots, especially in spring. - **Shelter:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Builds nests and finds cover within dense clumps of grass. - **Shelter:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Often nests among the protective cover of dense grasses. - **Eats:** [Differential Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/differential-grasshopper) (*Melanoplus differentialis*) — Feeds on the leaves and stems of this common grass. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Crested Wheatgrass? Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Crested Wheatgrass? 30-70 cm ### How wide does Crested Wheatgrass spread? 20-40 cm ### How big are the flowers on Crested Wheatgrass? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Crested Wheatgrass bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Crested Wheatgrass edible? Yes ### Is Crested Wheatgrass toxic? None ### What is Crested Wheatgrass's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [Fort Clark Trading Post State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-clark-trading-post-state-historic-site) — North Dakota, US · Historic Site - [Fossil Lake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fossil-lake) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark - [Sawtooth Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sawtooth-botanical-garden) — Idaho, US · Botanical Garden - [Okanagan Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/okanagan-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Dinosaur Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-park) — South Dakota, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Crested Wheatgrass](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/crested-wheatgrass) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Crested Wheatgrass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crested-wheatgrass)