Quercus

Riverbank Wild-rye

Elymus riparius

Native to Kentucky (estimated)

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

23CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Elymus

  • Amblyscirtes vialisCommon Roadside-Skipper, Black Little Skipper
  • Ancyloxypha numitorLeast Skipper
  • Apamea devastatorGlassy Borer, Glassy Cutworm Moth
  • Apamea lignicoloraWood-Colored Apamea
  • Cercyonis pegalaCommon Wood Nymph
  • Clepsis persicanaWhite Triangle Tortrix
  • Dargida diffusaWheat Head Armywotm Moth
  • Helcystogramma hystricellaLanceolate Helcystogramma, Lanceolate Moth
  • Lethe anthedonNorthern Pearly Eye
  • Leucania commoidesDusky Wainscot, Comma Wainscot
Show all 23
  • Leucania multilineaMany-Lined Wainscot
  • Leucania phragmitidicolaNeedle Wainscot, Phragmites Wainscot
  • Leucania pseudargyriaFalse Wainscot
  • Lon zabulonZabulon Skipper
  • Loscopia velataVeiled Ear Moth, Veiled Grass Moth
  • Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
  • Nephelodes miniansBronzed Cutworm
  • Papaipema cataphractaBurdock Border, Potato-Stalk Borer
  • Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
  • Polites themistoclesTawny-Edged Skipper
  • Pyrrharctia isabellaIsabella Tiger Moth, Banded Woolybear
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
  • Elachista illectella
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
4BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Elymus

  • Alectoris chukarChukar
  • Anser albifronsGreater White-fronted Goose
  • Perdix perdixGray Partridge
  • Plectrophenax nivalisSnow Bunting
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Flower color
Yellow
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Grows in clumps
Foliage color
Dark green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
  • Bloom · “June to August” · Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide · Nursery cultural guide; height in flower; moisture categories retained as printed
  • Flower color · “Yellow” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Foliage color · “Dark green” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Fruit begins · “Summer” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Fruit ends · “Fall” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Growth habit · “Grows in clumps” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Growth rate · “Moderate” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Height · “About 4 feet in flower” · Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide · Nursery cultural guide; height in flower; moisture categories retained as printed
  • Light · “Part shade (3–6 hours); Shade (under 3 hours)” · Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide · Nursery cultural guide; height in flower; moisture categories retained as printed
  • Soil · “Wet-mesic; Mesic” · Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide · Nursery cultural guide; height in flower; moisture categories retained as printed
Also known as

Eastern Riverbank Wild Rye; Riverbank Wild rye

Conservation status

Kentucky rankS5
Global rankG5
KY statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

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Sources