Koeleria macrantha

 

Junegrass is one of my favourite native grasses. It is a small attractive bunchgrass that is common in the Kamloops area. It is never a dominant species on the landscape but it is frequently present in middle- and upper-elevation grasslands. It is not as big as bluebunch wheatgrass or fescue and typically grows to a height of 12 inches.

The spikelets, equivalent to flowers, are produced in a relatively compact spike on the upper portion of the stems. The spikelets can look quite different depending on the stage of development. In spikelets that are developing and have not yet matured, they are tightly pressed against the stem. However, when the spikelets are ready for pollination, they bend more or less at right angles to the stem giving the spike a more open and almost feathery appearance.

 

Each spikelet can contain several “flowers”. In the picture below, you can see pairs of papery stamens dangling from some of the spikelets. Like other grasses, plants are wind-pollinated and so don’t have the big showy flowers or produce nectar to attract insect pollinators.

After flowering, the spikelets eventually turn brown and press up against the stem, giving the spike a different appearance.

 

The spikes will persist even after the plant has died back for the remainder of the growing season. They will eventually decay during late fall and winter but will be replaced by new stalks in the following growing season.