WHEATGRASS

(genus Agropyron), any of a number of species of wheatlike grasses in the family Poaceae, found throughout the North Temperate Zone. The plants are perennials, 30 to 100 cm (about 12 to 40 inches) tall; many have creeping rhizomes (underground stems). The most important forage species are bluebunch wheatgrass (A. spicatum) and western wheatgrass (A. smithii). Crested wheatgrass (A. cristatum), desert wheatgrass (A. desertorum), and slender wheatgrass (A. trachycaulum) are good forage plants and are often used as soil binders in the western United States.