(bluejoint grass)
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Photo of Calamagrostis canadensis by Alaska Natural Heritage Program
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Calamagrostis canadensis is a widespread and abundant, tall, perennial,
caespitose grass found in a variety of habitats (usually in wet to moist situations) across Denali from the boreal lowlands into low alpine areas. Stems grow in tufts, arising from horizontal
rhizomes, and can achieve heights of well over a meter (typically 50-150 cm). Stems have 3-8
nodes that often branch at the upper
nodes. Leaf blades are typically flat, scabrous and 3-8 mm wide. The
inflorescence is an open, often drooping panicle, 5-30 cm long, often purplish.
Spikelets contain a single bisexual floret. The
glumes are narrow. The
lemma awn is contained within the
glumes, and the
callus hairs are all of equal length, as long as the
lemmas. Fruits are single-seed, indehiscent and dry. The key character for identifying this species from other
Calamagrostis species is the length of the
lemma hairs.
Calamagrostis canadensis greens up in early summer and produces flowers in mid to late summer.
Calamagrostis canadensis is
monoecious, with
stamens and
pistils in the same florets (bisexual). Flowers are wind pollinated and seeds are wind disseminated. Seeds can reportedly remain viable up to 5 years in the soil.
C. canadensis also extensively reproduces vegetatively by
rhizomes.
Calamagrostis canadensis has a circumpolar, widespread distribution. It is occurs throughout North America, occurring widely in suitable habitat across all regions except is absent from the southeastern lower 48 states. In Alaska generally and Denali specifically, Calamagrostis canadensis is common and widespread occurring throughout the area in suitable habitats, although it is rarely abundant in the alpine zone.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right, depicting recent Denali data.
Calamagrostis canadensis is the most common grass in Alaska occurring in a wide variety of habitats. Generally a low elevation species, it is found from 83 m to 1470 m with an average plot elevation of 585 m. It is most common on east, west, and south facing slopes. Although it is found in plots with slopes from 0 to 42 degrees, it prefers lower angled slopes with an average plot slope of 8 degrees.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right. For more on how to interpret these figures, visit Understanding Data Presented.
Calamagrostis canadensis This species grows in areas with poorly drained to moderately well drained soils; in mineral soils or peat.
Wide ranging, occurs in wet to moist areas.
