| SPECIES | Calamagrostis rubescens |
| Common name and alpha code | pinegrass CARU |
| General Information
|
Perennial . Considered late seral
to climax species 99 Occurs on warm, dry to cool, dry sites beneath ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and larch at mid elevations. 160 Primarily a rhizomatous species, but seeds in to disturbed areas. Produces seed only in open areas. 187 |
| TABLE: | SEED |
| Seeds/Lb. | |
| Germ % | 58% to 98% 23 In ref. #33: 38% (McLean, 1967); 58-98% (Sampson, 1924) |
| Germ Test Amt | |
| Germ Test Cost | |
| Purity % | |
| Purity Test Amt | |
| Purity Test Cost | |
| Germination Pretreatment
Requirement
|
No stratification or
scarification requirements. Diurnal fluctuating temps of 20 and 300 C needed
for germination, with adequate light and moisture 99 In ref. #33: STRATIFICATION: Not needed (McLean, 1967) SCARIFICATION: Not needed (McLean, 1967) LABORATORY GERMINATION: TEMPERATURE: Fluctuating: 20-30°C at 16-8 hours (Haferkamp & McSwain, 1951) LIGHT: Light required (Haferkamp & McSwain, 1951) |
| Seed Processing Needed e.g. awns | |
| Storage Requirements |
|
| Storage Length (Years) |
|
| Maturity Date | Late June to August 160 |
| Pollinators Seed Dispersal Mechanism | Light seeds, wind dispersed 187 |
| Breeding: self; Cross; Asexual Reproduction | Vegetative reproduction from rhizomes. |
| Disease Problems | |
| Insect Predation | |
| Hand Collection Methods, Problems, and Cost/Lb. | Seed stalks infrequent; abundant
the year following fire 160 Force Account 1996: $170/lb 85 |
| TABLE: | SEED INCREASE INFO |
| Sow Rate for Seed Increase
Plantation, Lb./Acre |
|
| 1st Year Yield, Lb./acre | |
| 2nd Year Yield, Lb./acre | |
| Field Life Span: Years | |
| Production Cost/Lb. | |
| Field Distance Requirements | |
| Sow Date | |
| Miscellaneous Increase Info. |
|
| TABLE: | HABITAT |
| Plant Association Groups | |
| Drought Tolerance | Fair 23 Dry to moist sites; drought tolerant 187 |
| Soil: Texture, Chemicals | Best in sandy loams, loams, and clay loams. Will tolerate gravelly sand and acid soils. 99 |
| Soil Depth | |
| Ave. Precip. Needs | 18-30 inches annual precipitation. 210 |
| Flooding or High Water Tolerance | |
| Soil Stabilization
|
Valuable for tough turf which stands up to heavy grazing and trampling; binds and holds soil against erosion. 23 Can control surface soil erosion. Increases soil organic matter 187 |
| Palatability and Attractiveness to Animals; Response to Grazing | Differs by season; used by wildlife when young and green 134; important early spring forage for mule deer, elk. Cattle have low to medium preference for pinegrass in early summer and low preference later in summer. 187 Worthless to poor for sheep, poor to fairly good for cattle and horses 23 Forage for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and cattle 99 Palatability increases after fire. 160 Susceptible to heavy grazing 187 Under heavy use, pinegrass is often replaced by Kentucky bluegrass. 210 |
| Elevation Range | Sea level to 3,750 m 99 Tolerates cold well. 210 |
| Competitiveness
|
Very aggressive and competitive 160 Major competitor in Interior Douglas-fir zone; primarily moisture competition. May prevent overstocking of lodgepole pine. Can exclude more competitive species. 187 |
| Plasticity | |
| Root System: Rhizomes, Stolons,
etc.
|
Creeping rhizomes; reproduces mainly from these 99 Extensive rhizomes; sod-forming 168 Loose grass turf under forest stands can quickly develop into a continuous grass sod after logging. 187 |
| Shade tolerance
|
Moderate to high 187 Moderately shade tolerant to very intolerant; found in open woods, under forest canopies, and on banks. 99 |
| Response to Management Activities | Tree harvest or thinning:
Increases in abundance, vigor, and seed production. Invades by rhizomes and seeding in. Manual treatments: Grazing and clipping can control the species; effort likely outweighs benefits. Plants most sensitive to clipping in July. Mechanical site preparation: Increases rapidly after light or medium disturbance. Severe disturbance provides longer control (3 to 5 years) but also leads to increase abundance. Burning: Increases in cover and frequency. Sprouts rapidly first season, sprouts and seeds in vigorously in subsequent seasons. Repeated light fires promote the greatest increase in cover. Fertilization: nitrogen can dramatically increase pinegrass cover and vigor. 187 |
| TABLE: | CONSERVATION SOWING ON N.F. SITES |
| WCF Cost/Lb. (1997) | (Don’t have # seeds/lb.) 73 |
| Sow Rate for. Sowing on National Forest Sites, Lb./Acre | |
| Sowing Method and Date and Date | |
| Miscellaneous
|
Enthusiastic response to light burning, more than doubles as a result of "maintenance burning". Most prolific and rapid herbaceous plant to respond on post-burn sites. 218. |