Scientific Name: Muhlenbergia rigens

Muhlenbergia rigens, commonly known as deergrass, is a species of perennial bunchgrass native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Deergrass is well-adapted to arid and semi-arid regions and is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and desert scrub. It prefers well-drained soils and is often seen on slopes or hillsides. Deergrass forms dense, clumping tufts with slender, arching, and graceful foliage. The leaves are narrow, linear, and can reach lengths of up to 2 feet (60 cm) or more. They are typically bluish-green or grayish-green in color.

Deergrass is an ecologically important plant in its native range. It provides food and habitat for various wildlife species, including deer, birds, and insects. Additionally, its dense clumps help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in areas prone to disturbance. Historically, indigenous communities in the southwestern United States utilized deergrass for various purposes, such as weaving baskets and mats.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx and green cutworm moth

Produced by S&S Seeds

Kummerowia striata, commonly known as common lespedeza, is an introduced annual plant that thrives across the southern and eastern regions of the United States. This versatile plant is a favorite among grazers like cattle and other herbivores, making it a valuable addition to pastures and mixed grasslands. Blooming from August to September, common lespedeza produces subtle purple flowers that may easily go unnoticed. It flourishes in full sun and exhibits adaptability to various soil types. While it can become weedy if left unchecked, effective control measures such as chemical and mechanical treatments are available to manage its spread and maintain ecological balance.

Lathyrus sativus, commonly known as chickling vetch, emerges as a versatile and valuable cool-season annual legume, prized for its dual benefits as a nitrogen source and forage crop. Whether planted in early spring or late summer, it serves as a reliable option for enhancing soil fertility and providing nutritious forage for livestock. With its high palatability, chickling vetch is suitable for both pasture and hay production, offering flexibility in agricultural management. It can be harvested for hay or grazed approximately 60 days after planting, allowing for rapid utilization and maximum yield potential. In addition to its role as a forage crop, chickling vetch exhibits impressive nitrogen-fixing capabilities, enriching the soil and supporting subsequent crops in rotation. Chickling vetch is often included in mixed plantings with oats, peas, radishes, and other cool-season annual forages, enhancing diversity and productivity in cropping systems.

Leymus cinereus, commonly referred to as basin wildrye, stands as a stalwart presence in the landscapes of the Great Plains and Intermountain regions of the western United States. This impressive perennial bunchgrass commands attention with its stature, characterized by large, coarse, robust clumps that can expand to reach diameters of up to 3 feet and towering heights of 3 to 6 feet (and sometimes up to 10 feet under optimal conditions). Rising majestically from its crown, the growing points of basin wildrye stand proud at 10 to 12 inches above ground level, a testament to its vigor and resilience. A true survivor of diverse environments, basin wildrye thrives in a range of habitats, from moist to dry sites including wet meadows, valley bottoms, flood plains, and hillsides. Its adaptability extends to climate as well, exhibiting exceptional winter hardiness and a broad climatic tolerance. While it flourishes in regions with average annual precipitation ranging from 8 inches to over 20 inches, it demonstrates remarkable resilience even in less hospitable conditions. Underpinning its endurance is an extensive, deep, coarse fibrous root system, anchoring it firmly in the soil and facilitating its long-term persistence. As a long-lived cool-season native, basin wildrye plays a crucial ecological role in stabilizing soils, conserving moisture, and providing habitat and forage for wildlife. In the vast and varied landscapes it inhabits, Leymus cinereus stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability, embodying the spirit of the western wilds while contributing to the ecological richness of its native habitats.

Brassica oleracea, commonly referred to as collards, transcends its role as a leafy green vegetable to also serve as a valuable forage crop, particularly for livestock. Characterized by their large, dark green leaves that grow in a rosette formation, collards are known for their robust flavor and hearty texture. They are a cool-season vegetable, thriving in mild climates and often enduring frost with resilience. Recognized for its adaptability and nutritional value, collards offer numerous benefits in the realm of animal agriculture. As a forage crop, collards provide a rich source of nutrients for grazing animals, including cattle, sheep, and goats. Their large, dark green leaves are not only palatable but also highly nutritious, containing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that contribute to animal health and productivity. One of the key advantages of collards as a forage crop is their versatility in cultivation and management. They are relatively easy to grow, adapting well to a range of soil types and climates. Collards are typically planted as a cool-season crop, thriving in mild temperatures and often enduring frost with resilience. In addition to their nutritional benefits, collards offer advantages in forage management. They exhibit rapid growth and regrowth, allowing for multiple harvests or grazing cycles throughout the growing season. This characteristic enhances the efficiency of forage production and utilization, maximizing yields and extending grazing periods for livestock. Furthermore, collards can play a role in diversifying forage systems and mitigating seasonal feed shortages. Their inclusion in pasture mixes or as a standalone forage crop provides farmers with additional options for meeting the dietary needs of their livestock, particularly during periods of limited forage availability.

Brassica carinata, also known as African cabbage or Ethiopian mustard, is a resilient member of the Brassicaceae family, recognized for its versatility and unique characteristics. With a hard, erect central stem that remains upright even in winter, it displays remarkable resilience in adverse weather conditions. This attribute not only aids in its survival but also makes it adept at trapping snow during the winter months, contributing to moisture retention in the soil. Beyond its agronomic benefits, African cabbage offers additional advantages in agricultural practices. It demonstrates efficacy in controlling several parasitic nematodes, making it a valuable tool in integrated pest management strategies. However, despite its numerous strengths, it is worth noting that African cabbage is considered less palatable for livestock forage compared to other brassicas. Nevertheless, its nutritional value and adaptability make it a valuable asset in sustainable farming systems, offering both food security and soil health benefits.

Astragalus canadensis, commonly known as Canada milkvetch, stands as a robust and smooth-stemmed plant, celebrated for its ornamental value and ecological significance. Inhabiting a diverse range of habitats, Canada milkvetch can be found in dry prairies, moist shores, riverbanks, marshy grounds, and open or partly shaded areas. It thrives in well-drained soils under sunny conditions, showcasing its adaptability to various environments. However, it exhibits low tolerance to root disturbance and cannot withstand extremely cold weather conditions. While germination may be slow, typically occurring within four to nine weeks for fresh seeds, patience is rewarded with the emergence of vigorous seedlings. Astragalus canadensis remains valued for its ecological role and aesthetic qualities, contributing to the biodiversity and visual allure of natural landscapes.

Scientific Name: Bromus hordeaceus

Blando brome is a cool season annual bunchgrass native to Europe. It is widely distributed throughout the ranges of California, including the Sierra foothills, and range areas bordering the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley and the high mountain chaparral ranges of southern California. Blando brome growth starts in the fall and matures by April or May of the following year. This grass has excellent reseeding abilities, along with a dense and fibrous root system that aids in reducing soil erosion. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climates, is low-growing, and matures early. Blando brome is often used in ranges, pastures, and as a cover crop for vineyards and orchards.

Produced by S&S Seeds

Scientific Name: Melica imperfecta

Coast range melic, also known as California melic, small flower melic, and little California melic, is a perennial grass native to the southwestern United States and Baja California. It typically grows in woodlands, chaparral, and other dry areas and can be primarily found in the central and southern portions of California, along the coast, in the coastal mountain ranges, and in the foothills of the Sierras. With supplemental irrigation, coast range melic can remain evergreen, otherwise, it is dormant throughout the summer, greening up in fall/winter rain.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx and rural skipper

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Scientific Name: Hordeum brachyantherum

Meadow barley is a perennial grass native, to western North America, from Alaska to northern Mexico, and parts of eastern North America. It is a tufted grass that produces compact, narrow purple flower clusters. Similar to other barleys, the smaller lateral spikelets come in triplets.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx, alfalfa looper moth, venerable dart, armyworm moth, bilobed looper moth, bronzed cutworm, and glassy borer

Produced by Hedgerow Farms