Tidal Marsh/ Virginia Rye Grass

COMMON NAME: Virginia Rye Grass

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Seaside Wild Rye, Wild Rye

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Elymus virginicus

FAMILY: Poaceae

COMMUNITY: Tidal Marsh

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 20 to 48 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Early July to September

FRUITING TIME: Late July to September

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to Florida west to Alberta in the north and Texas in the south ~ Statewide outside the Pine Barrens in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Grows in tufts ~ Leaves flat, 6 to 10 per stem. green ~ Spikes whitish green, erect, 4 inches long ~ Florets with long arms

GENERAL INFORMATION: Virginia Rye Grass grows on the upper, rarely flooded, portions of the salt marsh, damp woods and edges of waterways. Seed eating birds use Virginia Rye Grass as a source of  food. An oil extracted from the rhizomes of another grass in this genus, Couch Grass (Elymus repens) was used in classical times as an antimicrobial to treat the common cold, cough, bronchitis and infections of the urinary tract.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.