Elymus repens

Elymus repens (= Agropyron repens, Elytrigia repens), commonly known as Couch Grass, is a grass.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Elymus repens 11.1 History 11.2 Elymus repens in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Elymus repens was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was not until 1947, however, that Frank Walton Gould reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Couch Grass is a species in the genus Elymus (wild rye, a common name also used for Leymus, Psathyrostachys and x Elyleymus ) which contains 150 species and belongs to the family of the Poaceae (Grass Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The plants grow to a height of approximately 1,2 meters.They grow at a rapid rate and have a moderate lifespan.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Elymus repens is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are mid green and linear with entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The plants bloom from June to August. The flowers are arranged in spikes.

The brown fruits are caryopses. They develop in spring.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Elymus repens is native to the whole of Europe, eastern Canada, Maine, Sibiria, North Afrika, is naturalized in the US and Mexico.

[edit] Cultivation

The Couch Grass prefers a sunny site. It grows best in sandy or pebbly, loamy soil, sandy clay soil that is moist. The plants are only slightly drought tolerant. They will do rahter poolry in anaerobic soils and are only slightly tolerant of limy conditions.

[edit] Uses

Elymus repens is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Elymus repens

[edit] History

[edit] Elymus repens in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Elymus repens in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Elymus repensfr:Elymus repens