Achnatherum richardsonii, Richardson's needlegrass
Esser, Lora L. 1992. Achnatherum richardsonii, Richardson's needlegrass. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/achric
| Abbreviation | Common Name | Scientific Name | Classification | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plants | ||||
| ACHRIC | Richardson's needlegrass | Achnatherum richardsonii | Life Form: Plants/Graminoid Kingdom: Plantae Class: Monocot Order: Cyperales Family: Poaceae Genus: Achnatherum | Fed. Protected: No Nativity: Native Invasiveness: Noninvasive |
Taxonomy
The scientific name of Richardson's needlegrass is Achnatherum richardsonii (Link) Barkworth [40].
Synonyms
- Stipa richardsonii Link
- Eriocoma richardsonii (Link) Romasch.
- Jarava richardsonii (Link) D.L.Fu
- Oryzopsis richardsonii (Link) Beal
Other Common Names
spreading needlegrass
Note
The Research Project Summary titled "Vegetation response to restoration treatments in ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir forests of western Montana" provides information on prescribed fire and postfire response of plant community species, including Richardson's needlegrass, that was not available when this species review was written. To find this summary, search FEIS for this species by entering the species name on the Advanced Search page and selecting “Fire Study” as the publication type.
General Distribution
Richardson's needlegrass is distributed from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and parts of Yukon Territory [18,36] south through Montana to Colorado and west to eastern Washington [14,18]. Scattered populations occur in the Black Hills of South Dakota [14].
States and Provinces
- United States: CO ID MT SD WA WY
- Canada: AB BC SK YT
Site Characteristics
Richardson's needlegrass is common on hillsides and dry plains, in open grassland or sagebrush benches, and in bottomlands, swales, and wooded slopes [3,10]. It is also found on moraines and gravel outwash associated with streams [3]. In Montana, Richardson's needlegrass is found on mountain slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide at elevations of 3,000 to 7,000 feet (900-2,100 m) [21]. In north-central Colorado, it is found in mesic sites at 8,000 to 8,600 feet (2,400-2,580 m) [13]. In Wyoming, Richardson's needlegrass is commonly found at elevations of 7,000 to 8,500 feet (2,134-2,591 m) and occasionally at elevations of 9,000 feet (2,743 m) [3].
Soils: Richardson's needlegrass is common on slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.6-7.3) [19]. Soil textures vary from fine sandy loam to clayey loam. Cation exchange capacity is moderately high, but soils are considered of low fertility because of low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus [19].
Plant Communities
Richardson's needlegrass is found in intermontane valley grasslands and meadows [24]. It is also common in bottomlands, on rocky or wooded slopes, and on hillsides in mature pine (Pinus spp.) forests [12,14]. In British Columbia, Richardson's needlegrass commonly occurs on warm, dry sites scattered throughout major valleys of the sub-boreal zone [25].
Published classifications describing Richardson's needlegrass as a codominant in community types are listed below:
- Grasslands of the North Fork Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana [16]
- Fescue grasslands of western Canada [19]
Common plant associates of Richardson's needlegrass not listed in General Distribution are: Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa), prairie Junegrass (Koeleria cristata), rough fescue (Festuca altaica), Idaho fescue (F. idahoensis), bearded wheatgrass (Elymus caninus), western needlegrass (Achnatherum occidentalis), timber danthonia (Danthonia intermedia), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), sedges (Carex spp.), shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), timothy (Phleum pratense), common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), prairiesmoke avens (Geum triflorum), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), Hood's phlox (Phlox hoodii), and bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia) [21,23,30,34].
Botanical Description
Richardson's needlegrass is a native, perennial, cool-season bunchgrass. This fine-stemmed, tufted grass grows from 16 to 40 inches (40-100 cm) tall [10,18]. The inflorescence is open and diffuse [18]. Culms are glabrous or slightly hairy. Blades are typically involute and subfiliform and reach heights of about 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm) [14]. The seeds of Richardson's needlegrass are hard, slender, and cylindrical, and have a sharp, pointed base (callus) and long, twisted awns [31].
Richardson's needlegrass is a shallow-rooted species; the abundance of roots decreases as soil depth increases. Clay accumulation restricts root penetration of Richardson's needlegrass [22]. Richardson's needlegrass becomes dormant following depletion of surface soil moisture during the latter part of the growing season [22].
Richardson's needlegrass.
Raunkiaer Life Form
- Hemicryptophyte [26]
Seasonal Development
Most needlegrasses begin vegetative growth in the early spring, usually before associated grasses green up, and continue growing throughout the summer if enough moisture is available [31,32]. Needlegrasses flower from July to September [31]. No specific information on the seasonal development of Richardson's needlegrass was found.
Regeneration Processes
Richardson's needlegrass reproduces sexually. The twisted awns of the seeds expand and contract with variations in temperature and moisture, drilling them into the soil [31,36]. Strong winds may transport seeds a considerable distance, especially when awns are twisted together in clumps. Animals also carry seeds as the awns become trapped in their fur [36].
Reproductive Richardson's needlegrass.
Successional Status
Richardson's needlegrass is a climax codominant on sites in Glacier National Park and on fescue grasslands of western Canada [16,19]. It occurs in the rough fescue prairie association, a climax community type. However, the equilibrium between prairie and associated forest vegetation is not always clear. Woody species such as willows (Salix spp.) and poplars (Populus spp.) are tending to invade the fescue prairie of Alberta, though the effects of fire, mowing, and limited grazing may serve to counteract this tendency. It has been suggested that white spruce (Picea glauca) may be considered as the theoretical climax for much of the fescue grassland or black soil region of Alberta; however, natural burning tends to prevent this climax from being realized [39].
Immediate Fire Effects
Specific fire effects probably depend largely on season of burn, phenology, and fire intensity and severity. Generally, needlegrasses (Achnatherum spp.) are top-killed by fire. Occasionally, a few culms may survive along the periphery of the crown. When fire severity is moderate to high, heat may be transferred below the soil surface, damaging roots and killing the plant. Needlegrasses often exhibit subsurface charring following fire [37].
Postfire Regeneration Strategy
- Tussock graminoid [39]
Fire Adaptations
Perennial needlegrasses are among the least fire resistant of the bunchgrasses [35]. No specific information on adaptations of Richardson's needlegrass to fire was found.
Season of burn and plant size contribute to needlegrasses' ability to survive fire. Needlegrasses tend to be more susceptible to fire when burned during midsummer. Plants with smaller crown diameters more often survive fire than do larger plants. Successive years' accumulation of dead culm and leaves make older needlegrasses highly susceptible to burning. Needlegrasses may often survive low-intensity fires, as heat is not transferred below the soil surface [37].
Plant Response to Fire
Production of most needlegrasses is initially reduced by fire; the degree of reduction appears dependent on species and season of burn [11]. In southwestern Montana, however, production of Richardson's needlegrass in a rough fescue habitat type with a heavy preburn canopy of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana) increased from 4 pounds per acre (1.8 kg/ha) to 306 pounds per acre (137.7 kg/ha) 2 years after a spring prescribed fire. Basal area and biomass of most needlegrasses are also often reduced following fire, with basal area commonly being reduced by as much as 50 percent [37]. Small needlegrass plants with a lower ratio of dead to living plant material and less fuel volume generally respond more favorably to fire than do larger plants [37]. Richardson's needlegrass is nonrhizomatous; therefore, postfire regeneration is through seed or sprouting by surviving plants [10].
Fire Regimes
For fire regime information, search FEIS for this species by entering the species name or acronym on the home page and selecting “Fire Regime” as the publication type.
Fire Management Considerations
Elimination of large-scale fires has enabled coniferous forests to encroach into grassland habitats. Fire policy in Glacier National Park before 1972 favored the development of coniferous forests at the expense of fescue grasslands [16]. Fire policies should assure the preservation of vegetation types such as the fescue grassland, of which Richardson's needlegrass is an important component [16].
Federal Status
None
Other Status
No entry.
Importance to Wildlife and Livestock
Richardson's needlegrass is an important forage species for livestock on the northern Great Plains [15]. It is also utilized by deer, bighorn sheep, and elk [7]. At lower elevations in western Montana, cattle graze Richardson's needlegrass from late spring until early fall. At higher elevations, grazing is limited to the summer months [7]. Needlegrasses (Achnatherum spp.) rank high as forage grasses on the western ranges because of their abundance, wide distribution, long growing period, and capacity to cure well on the ground [32].
At maturity, the long, sharp awns of needlegrasses become dangerous to grazing animals and can cause injuries to the eyes, ears, and skin [32]. Reports of livestock injuries caused by Richardson's needlegrass, however, are not documented in the available literature.
Palatability and Nutritional Value
Palatability of Richardson's needlegrass varies with phenological development. Palatability is highest in the spring and early summer when plants are young and succulent. Richardson's needlegrass is less palatable at maturity, when it becomes coarse and wiry [31]. In Montana, the palatability of Richardson's needlegrass is rated as fair for deer, fair to good for elk, and good for sheep and cattle [21].
The nutritional value of Richardson's needlegrass during five major stages of growth are as follows (values are percentage of dry weight with the exception of carotene which is in mg/kg) [1,15]:
| Nutrient | Vegetative | Heading | Seed-ripe | Cured | Weathered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry matter | 93.0 | 92.5 | 93.1 | 93.3 | 95.4 |
| Protein | 10.3 | 6.65 | 5.13 | 4.10 | 2.60 |
| Crude fat | 2.55 | 2.60 | 2.27 | 3.00 | 2.60 |
| Crude fiber | 31.2 | 31.2 | 34.7 | 31.1 | 38.4 |
| Ash | 7.20 | 6.00 | 7.40 | 6.10 | 4.50 |
| Calcium | 0.33 | 0.30 | 0.33 | 0.38 | 0.36 |
| Phosphorus | 0.15 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Cellulose | 31.3 | 34.6 | 35.8 | 34.8 | 40.5 |
| Carotene | 33.1 | 31.5 | 5.67 | 3.50 | 1.15 |
Cover Value
No entry.
Value for Rehabilitation or Restoration of Disturbed Sites
No entry.
Other Uses
No entry.
Other Management Considerations
Fescue (Festuca spp.) grasslands are an important grazing resource in much of the West, and Richardson's needlegrass is an important component of these grasslands. Richardson's needlegrass decreases with overgrazing [19]. On lightly to moderately disturbed sites, Richardson's needlegrass increases. On more severely disturbed sites, Richardson's needlegrass decreases. Richardson's needlegrass increases on moist disturbed sites [19].
Table A1— Forest and range ecosystems, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) physiographic regions, Kuchler plant associations, Society for American Foresters (SAF) forest cover types, and Society for Rangeland Management (SRM) rangeland cover types in which this species occurs.
Forest and Range Ecosystems (Garrison et al. 1977)
- FRES20 Douglas-fir
- FRES21 Ponderosa pine
- FRES26 Lodgepole pine
- FRES29 Sagebrush
- FRES36 Mountain grasslands
- FRES37 Mountain meadows
- FRES38 Plains grasslands
BLM Physiographic Regions (Bernard and Brown 1977)
- 8 Northern Rocky Mountains
- 9 Middle Rocky Mountains
- 10 Wyoming Basin
- 11 Southern Rocky Mountains
- 15 Black Hills Uplift
- 16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands
Kuchler Plant Associations (Kuchler 1964)
- K011 Western ponderosa forest
- K012 Douglas-fir forest
- K016 Eastern ponderosa forest
- K017 Black Hills pine forest
- K018 Pine - Douglas-fir forest
- K024 Juniper steppe woodland
- K050 Fescue - wheatgrass
- K051 Wheatgrass - bluegrass
- K055 Sagebrush steppe
- K056 Wheatgrass - needlegrass shrubsteppe
- K063 Foothills prairie
- K064 Grama - needlegrass - wheatgrass
- K066 Wheatgrass - needlegrass
SAF Cover Types (Eyre 1980)
- 201 White spruce
- 210 Interior Douglas-fir
- 217 Aspen
- 218 Lodgepole pine
- 219 Limber pine
- 220 Rocky Mountain juniper
- 237 Interior ponderosa pine
- 238 Western juniper
- 251 White spruce - aspen
SRM Rangeland Cover Types (Shiflet 1994)
- No entry
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