Pinegrass - Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences

Pinegrass
Calamagrostis rubescens
Buckley.
A perennial, mid-seral to climax, upland grass
often forms bunchgrass status if the overstory
is removed. Pinegrass exhibits a reddish hue
when in full sunlight.
Plant Characteristics
mineral soil, forming a sod in the top 20 cm (8 in) (4).
GENERAL HABITAT CONSIDERATIONS
Soil Types and Conditions: Inhabits mesic to dry sites of welldrained loams (1) to coarse textured Luvisols and Brunisols. Also
found on glacial till, outwash, alluvium loams to sandy loams with
rapid permeability. Occasionally found on limestone derived soils
(2).
Moisture/temperature requirements: Widely distributed from
British Columbia to Manitoba SW to Northern Colorado and Central
California. Found from sea level to 3,048 m (10,000 ft), but prefers
mid-elevation Ponderosa stands (Pinus ponderosa) or dry coniferous
forests. Requires a warmer, drier, southern exposure at higher
elevations. (5, 8)
Management Considerations
UTILIZATION
Forage and Palatability: It is the least palatable of the common
forage grasses but utilized, especially by sheep, during the spring
when its green and succulent. As leaves mature the palatability
decreases dramatically. Palatability is directly related to time of year.
Wildlife Use: Wildlife, especially elk, utilize it during spring and
again in fall and winter (8). Studies show utilization by bighorn
sheep, white-tailed deer, blackbear, and mule deer. Rocky mountain
goats consume pinegrass and also using it for bedding. Boreal owls
nest in pinegrass clippings (2).
VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Culms and leaves: Moderately large grass
has long, flat, inrolled basal leaves. Blades
are 10-30.5 cm (4-12 in) long, curving slightly
toward the ground. It will reach heights of
116 cm (45 in), but typically grows to 50 cm
(20 in).
Inflorescence:Panicle 6-12 cm (2.3-4.7 in),
somewhat compressed, dense, ranging from
yellowish-green to purple. Glumes smooth
to slightly rough with hairs covering half their
length. One floret per spikelet with a 2.2-3.5
mm (0.08-0.13 in) long, twisted awn (1). The
panicles appearance is erect and tufted
compared to the softer leaf structure (8).
Roots: Long, well developed, creeping,
extensive rhizomes with a fibrous root system.
Typically grows in the top 5 cm (2 in) of the
PLANTING
Growth Season and Seedling Establishment: Initiates growth
during late April and completes senescence in August. Rapid growth
can occur in open areas postfire. Seeds can germinate in the fall if
enough moisture is available and other conditions are suitable. Wind
disperses the seed increasing changes of off-site establishment. Very
shade tolerant.
Propagation: Reproduces by seeds, rhizomes, and tillers. Highly
vigrous seeds are produced readily on open sites with full sun. When
seeding, anchor chaining scarification can increase cover and
abundance. Nitrogen based fertilizers increase pinegrass abundance.
DISTURBANCE
Response to Competition: An aggresive competitor for soil moisture
especially with conifer and Douglas-fir seedlings (2, 3). Also hinders
conifer seedling growth with a formation of a thick sod. Puts on
extensive root systems early in the growing season when soil moisture
is readily available. Pinegrass reduction can be achieved with
extensive scarification and increased overstory shade (2).
Response to Grazing: Tolerates grazing relatively well by forming
a thick sod layer. Livestock must be fenced in order for moderate
grazing, but this method might allow the increase of local weedy
species. Simulated heavy grazing for one season (2in / 2 weeks)
showed a decrease in vigor and yield (2). Grazing throughout season
is not recommened.
Response to Fire: Resprouts from rhizomes after fire. Rhizomes
are damaged if fires reach below the duff layer and into the top 2.5cm
of the mineral soil. Early postfire dominance has been observed and
will continue to bloom profusely for up to 3 years. Rapid growth
can occur in open areas postfire.
Response to Drought:Very tolerant but generally not as drought
resistant as Elk Sedge (Carex geyeri) (7).
Prepared by OSU Rangeland Ecology and Management,
March 2005.
Pinegrass
Calamagrostis rubescens
Buckley.
Sources:
1.Cronquist, A., et al. 1997.
Intermountain Flora: Vascular Plants of the
Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol6. New York:
Columbia University Press.
2.Matthews, Robin F. 2000.
Calamagrostis rubescens. In: Fire Effects
Information System, [Online]. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire
Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available:
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2005,
February 15].
3.Nicholson, A.C. Water Relations.
1990. Survival and Growth of Douglas-Fir
Seedlings at a Pinegrss dominated Site in
the Inter Douglas-Fir zone of South-Central
British Columbia. Masters Thesis, Forestry
Science, Oregon State University, USA.
114p.
4. Oregon State Cooperative
Extension Service. Pinegrass. Rangeplant
leaflet #5.
5.Parish, Roberta, Ray Coupe and
Dennis Lloyd (ed.). 1996. Plants of Southern
Interior British Columbia. Lone Pine
Publishing. 464p.
6.Steele, Robert and Kathleen
Geier-Hayes. The Douglas-Fir/White Spirea
Habitat Type in Central Idaho: Succession
and Management. Gen Tech. Rep. INT-305.
Odgen, UT: US Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Intermountain Research
Stattion. 81p
7.Svejcar, Tony. 1983. Season and
Dirunal Changes in the Water Relations of
Elk Sedge (Carex geyeri) and Pinegrass
(Calamagrostis rubescens). PhD Thesis,
Department of Rangeland Resources,
Oregon State University, USA. 124p.
8.U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service. 1937. Range plant handbook.
Washington, DC. 532p.