Grasses diurnal

Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Pseudoroegneria spicata

The iconic pulse of the Western range, Bluebunch Wheatgrass is a rugged perennial that sustains elk, deer, and the very soil itself. Its striking blue-green blades and curly seed heads make it a favorite for naturalists and backyard restorationists alike.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Stands 1 to 4 feet (30 to 120 cm) tall with a clump width of 8 to 15 inches (20 to 38 cm).

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Colors

Signature blue-green to glaucous foliage during the growing season, curing to a golden-straw or tan color in late summer.

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Key Features

Distinctive bunch-forming growth habit without spreading runners
Seed heads with awns that often bend sharply outward at a 90-degree angle when mature
Waxy blue-green coating on the leaves and stems
Perennial nature with deep, fibrous root systems

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours Phototropic growth occurs during daylight; most visual interest during 'golden hour' lighting.

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Season April-July (Active growth and flowering)

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Diet As a primary producer, it creates energy through photosynthesis. It serves as a vital food source for grazing animals like elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep.

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Habitat Open grasslands, sagebrush steppes, and rocky slopes in well-drained soils.

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Behavior

Bluebunch Wheatgrass is a foundational perennial bunchgrass that defines the arid landscapes of western North America. Unlike many lawn grasses, it grows in distinct, tight clumps rather than a continuous sod. It is a long-lived species, often surviving for decades by entering a state of dormancy during the hot, dry spells of late July and August to conserve moisture.

Ecologically, this grass is a 'climax species,' meaning its presence indicates a healthy, stable ecosystem. It plays a critical role in soil stabilization and provides essential high-protein forage for a variety of wildlife. While it doesn't 'behave' in the animal sense, it responds dynamically to its environment, leaning toward light sources and shifting its color from vibrant teal to gold as the seasons transition.

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Camera Tips

Capturing Bluebunch Wheatgrass on a trail camera is less about catching the plant 'moving' and more about documenting the life that revolves around it. To capture its growth cycle, set your camera to a Time-Lapse mode rather than motion trigger. One photo taken every 24 hours at noon will allow you to create a stunning video of the spring 'green-up' and the eventual maturation of the seed heads.

If you are looking to capture wildlife, treat a healthy stand of Bluebunch Wheatgrass as a natural 'bait station.' Position your camera at a height of 18 to 24 inches, angled slightly upward. This is the perfect height to catch mule deer or elk as they lower their heads to graze. Because this grass often grows in windy, open areas, be sure to set your motion sensitivity to 'Medium' or 'Low' to avoid hundreds of empty triggers caused by the grass swaying in the breeze.

For the best aesthetic results, position your camera facing North or South. This prevents the sun from blowing out the image while allowing the 'side-lighting' of morning and evening to catch the fine textures of the seed awns. If your camera has a 'Hybrid' mode (photo followed by video), use it here; you'll capture a high-quality still of the plant's structure followed by a video that demonstrates the wind patterns and animal interactions within the bunchgrass community.

In the winter, don't move your camera! Bluebunch Wheatgrass provides excellent 'thermal cover' and forage for small birds and mammals when snow covers the ground. The golden stalks standing against white snow provide high-contrast triggers that can help you document winter survival strategies of backyard wildlife like voles, juncos, and rabbits.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bluebunch Wheatgrass.

Crested Wheatgrass

An introduced species with much more crowded, 'comb-like' seed heads and a more aggressive spreading habit.

Western Wheatgrass

Unlike Bluebunch, Western Wheatgrass has underground rhizomes that form a sod rather than distinct, isolated bunches.

Idaho Fescue

A smaller bunchgrass with much finer, hair-like leaves and smaller seed heads compared to the robust stalks of Bluebunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bluebunch Wheatgrass is most active during the cool, moist months of spring and early summer, typically from April through June. It often goes dormant and turns golden during the heat of late summer.

By planting Bluebunch Wheatgrass in place of traditional turf, you provide natural forage and nesting material. It is particularly attractive to grazing mammals like deer and provides seeds for ground-feeding birds.

Large mammals like elk and deer eat the nutrient-rich green blades, especially in early spring. In the winter, birds and small rodents eat the seeds and use the dried bunches for cover.

It is increasingly common in suburban 'xeriscaping' or native plant gardens in the West, as it requires very little water once established and provides a beautiful, wild aesthetic.

Look at the seed heads; Bluebunch Wheatgrass has seeds that are more spaced out along the stem, often with awns that curve outward, whereas the invasive Crested Wheatgrass has a much tighter, comb-like seed head.

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