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Eriocoma hymenoides (common names: Indian ricegrass and sand rice grass) is a cool-season, perennial bunchgrass. It is native to western North America.
Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides (Roemer & J.A. Schultes) Barkworth) By Forest Jay Gauna As the common name implies, Native Americans utilized this species of grass in a manner analogous to that of rice by peoples of the Old World and their descendants.
Indian ricegrass is used by domestic cattle, sheep and horses and is highly palatable during most of the year with the exception of late spring when seed heads are forming. It provides valuable forage for cattle in winter especially in salt desert communities and it supplies a source of green feed.
Indian ricegrass is often an early seral or pioneer species establishing seedlings in open or disturbed sites and on sandy soils. It is relatively short-lived for a perennial grass and reproduces by seed.
Indian ricegrass produces an abundance of plump seed with protein levels of 15 to 17 percent. This seed is excellent food for upland game birds and songbirds. Small mammals cache the seeds for winter utilization. Indian ricegrass can be planted with, or adjacent to, taller plants for food and cover for a wide variety of wildlife. Indian ricegrass
Indian Rice Grass, formerly Oryzopsis hymenoides, is a common grass of the Great Plains and western North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico, but is extremely rare in Minnesota.
Indian ricegrass is a key species on Utah foothills and semi-desert range. It is one of the more valuable grasses for domestic livestock and big game animals, providing excellent forage for spring and summer use.
