Elymus hoffmannii

Elymus hoffmannii is a species of grass known by the common name RS wheatgrass. It was described as a new species in 1996. It became known to science when some grasses were collected in Turkey in 1979 and one type was successfully bred out, proving to be a natural hybrid. E. hoffmannii is derived from this hybrid between Elymus repens and the bluebunch wheatgrasses (Pseudoroegneria spp.) of Turkey,[1] such as Pseudoroegneria spicata.[2]

Elymus hoffmannii
'NewHy'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Genus:	Elymus
Species:	E. hoffmannii
Binomial name
Elymus hoffmannii K.B.Jensen & K.H.Asay

This is a rhizomatous perennial grass with stems up to 1.35 m tall. The spikes are up to half a metre long with spikelets up to 2.7 cm in length. This species can be distinguished from its relative, E. repens, by its smaller rhizomes, longer leaves, and shorter awns.[2]

This grass is used for grazing livestock. There are several cultivars available, including 'NewHy', which combines "the vigor, productivity, salt tolerance and persistence of quackgrass with the drought resistance, growth habit, seed quality and forage quality of bluebunch wheatgrass."[3] It remains edible for livestock later in the season than other wheatgrasses, and it withstands grazing pressure.[4] It can produce two or more hay harvests.[2] Another cultivar is 'AC Saltlander', which is especially tolerant of higher soil salinity.[2]