Pseudoroegneria spicata (Elymus spicatus)

Bluebunch wheatgrass is a widespread and dominant species in the grasslands and dry open forests of southern British Columbia. In undisturbed grasslands, it is usually the dominant species at lower elevations and on steep slopes with a warm aspect at higher elevations.

It forms uniformly spaced clumps or bunches across the landscape.

The spikelets of bluebunch wheatgrass are arranged along two sides of the stem. Here you can see the purple stamens have emerged from the spikelets. Bluebunch wheatgrass is a wind-pollinated plant.

Even in the winter, the spikelets remain recognizable and persist for a long time.

To me, from a distance, the spikelets resemble beads of oil or small grains of rice on the stems. 

Sometimes the spikelets will have long awns that bend at right angles to the to the stem. These are more often found on plants in the Okanagan area than on plants in the Kamloops area.

Bluebunch wheatgrass is an important forage species for both livestock and wildlife.