The name of this species is not universally accepted, with some authorities still referring to it as Agropyron elongatum (Host) P.Beauv.[].

Common Name: Tall Wheatgrass

General Information

Thinopyrum elongatum is a clump-forming, perennial grass with erect, robust culms 35 - 300cm tall[, ].
The plant is very tolerant of alkaline and saline soils and so is used in the reclamation nd stabilization of such soils, as well as being a potential source of biomass.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Mediterranean region from Spain and Morocco eastwards through southeast Europe to central Asia

Habitat

Saline meadows and along seashores where it can be subject to occasional inundation[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Coming from the Mediterranean region, with its hot dry summers and cool, moist winters, Thinopyrum elongatum is a cool-season grass that grows mainly from the autumn round to the spring and then can become dormant in the summer[]. It is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation in the range of 300 - 2,100mm and average annual temperatures ranging between 5 - 19°c[]. Not all forms of the plant are frost-tolerant, but some forms will succeed even in Northern Canada[].
A very tolerant plant, able to grow in a wide range of conditions. It succeeds in soils with a pH of 5.3 - 9.0, and thrives in areas subject to inundation by saline water, such as seashores and saline meadows as well as on alkaline soils[]. The plant grows best in full sun but tolerates some shade.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant establishes well on wet alkaline soils and is extensively used in reclaiming such areas. It has been reported to be promising even in the arid zone of South Australia where rainfall is 125 - 200mm annually. The plant has also been recommended for reclaiming saline soils and it has also been shown how the species can be used in reclaiming red mud bauxite residues[].
Extremely tolerant of saline soils, it is used to manage salinity in irrigation water recovery systems[].
The grass is often used for erosion control along roadsides and other critical areas. It has been recommended in the northern Great Plains for passive terrace formation[].
In a study in Saskatchewan, tall wheatgrass windbreaks with several years' growth improved soil moisture levels and alfalfa yields[].

Other Uses

According to the phytomass files, annual productivity ranges from 2 - 15 tonnes per hectare, which phytomass could be converted to alcohol or methane[].
The grass is currently being evaluated as a possible source of cellulosic ethanol. Problems may exist, however, with biomass production in saline environments due to high concentrations of salts and heavy metals, as well as potentially high emission levels of nitrous and sulfuric oxides[].
High quality particleboard can be produced by using tall wheatgrass[].

The plant is used in breeding programs to transfer genes for salinity, drought and disease resistance to annual wheat[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow, or only just cover the seed, in a greenhouse in early autumn. Germination should take place within a few days. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant out in the following autumn or spring.
If you are sowing a large area, then the seed can be sown in situ, preferably in early autumn, though in areas experiencing heavy frosts in the winter it would be best to sow the seed in the spring. A seed rate of 9 - 13 kg per hectare is recommended[].