‘Alyeska’ Polargrass Arctagrostis latifolia

Background Information for ‘Alyeska’ Polargrass

In the wild, polargrass occurs in wet meadows, Cultivar: ‘Alyeska’ tundra, and marshes. Plant Introduction Number: 562650 Growth It is a pioneer species in disturbed areas. These ‘Alyeska’ Polargrass is a cultivar disturbed areas are usually moist and Polargrass is a perennial. developed by the University of It grows about 1.5 feet sometimes acidic (Walkup, 1991). Alaska Agricultural Experiment tall and has purple Station. Polargrass is high in food value. Grizzly bears spikelets when mature. The prime reason for developing and caribou selectively eat it (Walkup, 1991). It has wide, lax leaves this cultivar was for revegetation According to naturalist Adolph Murie, bears at and stout rhizomes in Interior and Western Alaska. Denali National Park find polargrass to be a (Mitchell, 1980). The original collections (parents) favorite food during June and July (Klebesadel, It reproduces by seed for this cultivar came from native 1969). and underground plants growing in interior and rhizomes. western Alaska (Mitchell, 1980).

Polargrass has small Before being registered in 1980, seeds and poor seedling ‘Alyeska’ was evaluated for 9 Arctagrostis latifolia development. Once years in many different settings. established, it is very grows naturally as a ‘Alyeska’ is adapted to winter hardy. north-latitude species moderately wet areas, can with a circumpolar tolerate acid soils, and may be distribution. immune to snow mold (Mitchell, 1987). Map from Hultén, 1968. Used with the permission of Stanford University Press.

‘Alyeska’ Polargrass is recognized ‘Alyeska’ and ‘Kenai’ Polargrass are in breeder, foundation, registered, the same species. Parent grasses, and certified seed classes. Interesting Note:

though, were collected in different Breeder and foundation seed The genus Arctagrostis comes from Alaskan regions. is maintained by the the Greek “Arctos” which means Alaska Plant Materials Center. ‘Alyeska’ is for revegetation in north or bear; and “agrostis” for north and west Alaska. Registered and certified seed fodder grass (Klebesadel, 1969). ‘Kenai’ is more southern. is available through the For best results plant in the Alaska Seed Growers, Inc. appropriate region.

Alaska Plant Materials Center July 16, 2007 Serving Alaska’s needs in production of Alaska native plants ‘Alyeska’ Polargrass

‘Alyeska’ for Alaska Revegetation Purposes

‘Alyeska’ Polargrass is for moist or moderately wet areas. It is quite tolerant of low temperatures and acidic soils. It does well if planning to revegetate with a native grass where extreme conditions occur (Mitchell, 1980).

‘Alyeska’ does not grow well with fertilization or competition. Once established, it is very hardy and helps prevent erosion (Klebesadel, 1969). For revegetation in Western, Arctic, or Interior Alaska, ‘Alyeska’ should be a part of the mix—not the dominant portion.

‘Alyeska’ polargrass at the Plant Materials Center in Palmer,

‘Alyeska’ Polargrass seed 1,800,000 seeds per pound ‘Alyeska’ plant characteristics

Wetness Tolerance good To Produce ‘Alyeska’ Polargrass Acidity Tolerance good Seedling Vigor moderate To maintain genetic purity, ’Alyeska’ needs at Yield Potential high least a 1,000 foot boundary from other Longevity long polargrass varieties. Seed Production moderate

Plant ‘Alyeska’ after breakup in Western, Drought Resistance poor Arctic, and Interior Alaska. Winter Hardiness good Palatability good Using traditional plant drills, the seeding depth should be shallow. The seed is small and germination is sporadic. Plan on spreading more seed per acre to acquire a productive field (Walkup, 1991).

Once established, ‘Alyeska’ excels in seedling earliness and vigor References of spring growth (Klebesadel, 1969). Hultén, E. 1968. Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Seed is mature mid-September. Cleaning ‘Alyeska’ seed is Territories. © by the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Stanford University relatively easy since there is one seed per spikelet. Press, Stanford.

Klebesadel, L.J. 1969. “Agronomic characteristics of the little-known, northern grass, Arctagrostis latifolia var. arundinacea (Trin.) Griseb., and a proposed common name, Tall Arcticgrass.” Peggy Hunt & Stoney Wright Agronomy Journal 61: 45-49.

State of Alaska Mitchell, W. 1980. “Registration of Alyeska Polargrass”, Crop Science Vol. 20, 671. Department of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture Walkup, C. 1991. Arctagrostis latifolia. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Plant Materials Center Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 5310 S. Bodenburg Spur Rd. Fire Sciences Laboratory. Http://www.fs.fed.us/ Palmer, AK 99645-9706 database/feis.