‘Reeve’ Beach Wildrye mollis ( mollis)

Cultivar: ‘Reeve’ Growth Introduction Number: 572569

Beach wildrye is easy to ‘Reeve’ beach wildrye can recognize in the wild. produce commercially viable Its spike of seed/flowers Background Information amounts of seed (compared to is large and compact. wild beach wildrye and to the Beach wildrye grows wild in mainly The vigorous ‘Benson’ wildrye). along the coast on sandy beaches. are the main way this The original collection for grass spreads. Beach wildrye has many different common ‘Reeve’ was from Norway. names. It is also known by several different It is perennial, with stout ‘Reeve’ meets the need for a scientific names. Current synonyms are stems that are smooth wildrye that would produce Elymus mollis or Elymus arenarius. In beneath the spike. It is seed. describing this specific cultivar, Leymus sod-forming, growing to The Alaska Plant Materials mollis is the most up to date name. Beach about 4 feet high, with Center began evaluating this wildrye also has several subspecies and many leaves overlapping cultivar in 1979. With varieties. at the base (Wright, ‘Reeve’s’ ability to produce 1991a). The blue color seed for coastal area of its leaves is revegetation, it was released in distinctive. 1991 (Wright, 1991a).

Map from Hultén, 1968. ‘Reeve’ Beach Wildrye is recognized in breeder, Used with the permission of Stanford University Historical Uses foundation, registered, and certified seed classes. Klebesadel (1985) Distribution Breeder and foundation seed is maintained by the stated that beach Beach wildrye is found on Alaska Plant Materials Center. wildrye was used for sandy beaches, spits, sea Registered and certified seed forage in Alaska. beaches, tidal flats, sea cliffs, is available through the Native Peoples used and lakeshores from Alaska Alaska Seed Growers, Inc. it for thatching for to and south to shelters, basketry, New York and central food, and cordage. (Welsh, 1974).

Alaska Plant Materials Center Serving Alaska’s needs in production of Alaska native July 23, 2007 ‘Reeve’ Beach Wildrye

‘Reeve’ Beach Wildrye for Alaska Revegetation Purposes

Beach wildrye grows throughout the coasts of Alaska. Thus, for revegetation in sandy or gravelly places, it makes sense to use a species that might naturally occur. The native beach wildrye does not form viable seed. Use the cultivar ‘Reeve’ for places that need seed.

‘Reeve’ provides good erosion control because of its aggressive rhizomes and roots. It can successfully revegetate areas unsuitable for other species. Prior planning is essential.

‘Reeve’ Peculiarities

Beach wildrye does poorly in organic, silt, or clay soils. It does not tolerate excessive foot traffic. It also does not compete well with other grasses (Wright, 1994).

Plant by seed, not sprigs!

‘Reeve’ beach wildrye is a beautiful landscape plant.

‘Reeve’ beach wildrye seed With its distinctive blue ~33,000 seeds per pound coloration, ‘Reeve’ makes a barren, sandy, or gravelly place look To Produce beautiful. Its plumes are ‘Reeve’ beach wildrye beige when ripe.

• ‘Reeve’ produces seed three years after ‘Reeve’ will hold the soil the first planting. in place for many years • ‘Reeve’ does not decline in production because of its spreading, over time. tenacious rhizomes. • Poor seedling vigor occurs if there is not enough sand in the soil. ‘Reeve’ beach wildrye production field at the • Weed control is important for beach Plant Materials Center in Palmer, Alaska. wildrye seedlings to become large enough to out-compete weeds. • Beach wildrye responds well to high References nitrogen fertilizers (Wright, 1994). Hultén, E. 1968. Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories. © by the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Stanford University Press, Stanford.

Klebesadel, L.J. 1985. Beach Wildrye Characteris- Peggy Hunt & Stoney Wright tics and uses of a Native Alaskan Grass of Uniquely Coastal Distribution. Agroborealis, 17: 31-38. State of Alaska Welsh, S.L. 1974. Anderson’s Flora of Alaska and Department of Natural Resources Adjacent Parts of . Brigham Young Uni- Division of Agriculture versity Press, Provo, Utah.

Plant Materials Center Wright, S.J. 1991a. Release Notice—‘Reeve’ 5310 S. Bodenburg Spur Rd. Beach Wildrye. State of Alaska, Division of Agri- culture, Plant Materials Center. Palmer, AK 99645-9706 Phone: (907) 745-4469 Wright, S.J. 1994. Beach Wildrye Planting Guide for Alaska. State of Alaska, Division of Agricul- ture, Plant Materials Center.