PERENNIAL VELDTGRASS (Ehrharta calycina) grows in neutral to moderately alkaline soil. It is tolerant of slight salinity and likes shallow to deep loam and well-drained clay and dry to moist conditions. It is benefited slightly by an application of nitrogen. It is adapted to central and coastal areas of California. It is a drought-resistant perennial.

REDTOP AND BENTGRASSES (Agrostis) include many species that grow in highly acid to neutral soils and are not tolerant of salinity. Shallow, moist, gravelly loam to muck are preferred. They tolerate swampy conditions and benefit from the application of nitrogen. They grow when nutrient levels are relatively low. They are cool-season grasses and are suited to humid sections of the Northern States.

Colonial bentgrass (A. tenuis), creeping bentgrass (A. palustris), and redtop (A. alba) are important perennials.

RHODESGRASS (Chloris gayana) grows in moderately acid to highly alkaline soils. It tolerates moderate salinity. Soils of average depth to deep, loam and well-drained clay are preferred. It tolerates dry conditions. Applications of nitrogen are beneficial in the Southwestern States. It is a perennial but is not hardy.

RICEGRASSES (Oryzopsis) comprise many species, which grow in slightly acid to moderately alkaline soils and are tolerant of slight salinity. They thrive in sandy loam to clay loam that is of average depth or deeper. They stand very dry to dry conditions and are tolerant of wide ranges of temperature. They are mainly adapted to the western intermountain region. They are benefited slightly by application of nitrogen.

Indian ricegrass (O. hymenoides) is drought resistant. It is a perennial.

Smilo (O. miliacea) tolerates dry or moist conditions. It is grown in California in places that have wet winters and dry summers.

RYEGRASSES are annual and short-lived perennial species of Lolium. They grow in highly acid to neutral soils and are not tolerant of salinity. Shallow to deep, fine sand to poorly drained clay are suitable, as are moist to very moist conditions. They are benefited by the application of nitrogen. Some species are widely adapted in most States.

Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum) is adapted as a winter annual in the South and as a summer annual in the North.

Perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) is a short-lived perennial. It is adapted to conditions of the Pacific Northwest and limited areas of the Northeast.

ST. AUGUSTINEGRASS (Stenotaphrum secundatum) grows in highly acid to slightly alkaline soils. It is not tolerant of salinity. It grows in shallow to deep, gravelly loam to muck in wet or swampy conditions. It is benefited by applications of nitrogen. It is adapted to the gulf coast region. It is used mostly for shady lawns. It is a perennial.

SUDANGRASS (Sorghum sudanense) grows in moderately acid to neutral soils of average depth or deep, loamy sand to well-drained clay. It requires moist conditions although it tolerates drought periods after it is established. It is benefited by the application of nitrogen under moist conditions. It is a summer annual adapted to localities of high summer temperatures.

TALL OATGRASS (Arrhenatherum elatius) is a short-lived perennial that grows in moderately acid to neutral soils and is moderately tolerant of salinity. Soils should be of shallow to average depth and loam to poorly drained clay. It requires moist to very moist conditions but thrives in rich, well-drained soils. It is adapted to the Northern States.

TIMOTHY (Phleum pratense) grows in highly acid to neutral soils. It is not tolerant of salinity. It is benefited by applications of nitrogen. It is widely adapted in the Northern States in sandy loam or poorly drained clay.

VELVETGRASS (Holcus lanatus) grows in highly acid to slightly acid soils. It is not tolerant of salinity. Soils should be of shallow to average depth and fine sand to poorly drained clay. It requires heavy moisture. It is benefited by applications of nitrogen, although it grows at a low nutrient level. It is adapted to the Northern States and the upper South. It will tolerate swampy sites. It is mostly a weed.

WHEATGRASSES (Agropyron) include many native and introduced species. They grow under a wide range of soil conditions but are not adapted to acid soils. Some species tolerate salinity and are adapted to the drier sites. They are benefited by applications of nitrogenous fertilizers when the shortage of moisture is not acute. They are widely distributed in the Western States.

Beardless wheatgrass (A. inerme) is slightly more tolerant of drought in the Pacific Northwest, where it is best adapted, than crested wheatgrass.

Bluebunch wheatgrass (A. spicatum) requires semihumid conditions and a higher nutrient level.

Crested wheatgrass (A. desertorum) grows in neutral to slightly alkaline soils. It is tolerant of moderate salinity, gravelly loam or well-drained clay of average depth, and dry to moist conditions.

Fairway wheatgrass (A. cristatum) is better adapted to extreme northern conditions than crested wheatgrass.

Intermediate wheatgrass (A. intermedium) is less drought tolerant and requires a higher nutrient level. It is adapted to well-drained, sandy loam to clay loam. It is less hardy.

Pubescent wheatgrass (A. trichophorum) tolerates a lower nutrient level than intermediate wheatgrass.

Quackgrass (A. repens) grows in highly acid to neutral soils. It is not tolerant of salinity. Soils should be of average depth to deep, fine sand to clay loam. It demands moist to very moist conditions. It is benefited by applications of nitrogen. It is adapted to the humid Northern States. It is weedy.

Siberian wheatgrass (A. sibericum) is better adapted to sandy soils having hardpans than crested wheatgrass.

Slender wheatgrass (A. trachycaulum) requires more moisture than crested wheatgrass.

Streambank wheatgrass (A. riparium) is tolerant of heavy moisture. It forms dense sod for waterways.

Tall wheatgrass (A. elongatum) tolerates poor drainage and high salinity.

Thickspike wheatgrass (A. dasystachyum) (see Crested wheatgrass).

Western wheatgrass (A. smithii) is better adapted to moist swales and has a wider range of climatic adaptation.

WILDRYE includes many perennial species of Elymus. They grow in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Some are benefited by the application of nitrogen. At least one species is found in nearly every State.

Blue wildrye (E. glaucus) grows on drier sites than Siberian wildrye.

Canada wildrye (E. canadensis) grows in highly acid to moderately alkaline soils and tolerates moderate salinity. It requires shallow to deep, gravelly loam to clay and moist to very moist conditions. It is benefited by the application of nitrogen. It is a widely adapted species.

Giant wildrye (E. condensatus) grows in neutral to moderately alkaline soils. It is tolerant to moderate salinity. A perennial, it needs shallow to deep, stony loam to well-drained clay and very dry to moist conditions. It is benefited slightly by the application of nitrogen. It is moderately drought resistant and is widely distributed throughout the dry areas of the West.

Russian wildrye (E. junceus) grows in neutral to moderately alkaline soils. It tolerates high salinity. It requires soil of average depth to deep, sandy loam to clay loam and dry to moist conditions. It requires a high nutrient level and is benefited by applications of nitrogen. It is particularly adapted to the northern parts of the Great Plains and farther west.

Siberian wildrye (E. giganteus) grows in slightly acid to moderately alkaline soil. It is not tolerant of salinity. It tolerates dry to moist conditions and is benefited slightly by applications of nitrogen. It is particularly useful for the stabilization of inland sand dunes but is not adapted to coastal conditions.