Poaceae

Canada wildrye

Elymus robustus Scribn. & J.G. Sm.

Indigenous Names: pteyáȟota, O-do-rum-biv

Habitat: Moist to dry, well-drained sties in plains, foothills from Northwest Territory, Canada to New Mexico Plants Parts Harvested: Foliage and lemmas; Dry to moist locations in fairly open sites, often on rocky ground; foothills to sub-alpine; British Columbia, Canada to New Mexico

Seasonality: Not given

Status: Native

Traditional Food Use

Lakota

The seeds are edible when cooked. It contains certain harmful alkaloids, so it is not advisable to eat it - waŋyéča swúla, although the Lakota sometimes did when it was very young.

Kiowa

Foliage and lemmas used as a moderately palatable fodder for livestock.

Ute

Seeds formerly are gathered for food.

Botanical Reference

Parts Documented: seed

View on USDA Plants Database ↗