Species PlantsCanada Wild Rye

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

CommonPlant
Illustration of Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis)

Canada Wild Rye is a native cool-season grass of forest edges, prairies, and roadsides across most of North America. Its nodding, bristly seed heads are distinctive. It provides important food and cover for many prairie birds and is one of the most widely used native grasses in restoration projects due to its easy establishment.

Habitat
Prairies, forest edges, and disturbed areas across North America
Diet
Seeds eaten by sparrows, juncos, and small mammals; cover for ground-nesting birds
How common
Common

Best time to see a Canada Wild Rye

The best time to see a Canada Wild Rye is July–October, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,879 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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