{"id":"agropyron-smithii","license":"CC-BY-4.0","data":{"scientificName":"Agropyron smithii","commonNames":["Western Wheatgrass"],"taxonRank":"species","acceptedName":"Elymus smithii","family":"Poaceae","ids":{"usdaSymbol":"PASM","gbifKey":5290148,"itisTsn":512844,"wikidataQid":"Q15510778","inatTaxonId":76806},"usdaZoneMin":"4a","zoneSource":"usda-plants","states":["AK","AR","AZ","CA","CO","GA","IA","ID","IL","IN","KS","KY","MA","MI","MN","MO","MT","ND","NE","NH","NM","NV","NY","OH","OK","OR","SD","TN","TX","UT","WA","WI","WY"],"hardinessAssertions":[{"minimum":"4a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-28,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"PASM","sourceTaxon":"Agropyron smithii","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 24416, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"}],"plantForm":"grass","matureHeightFt":2,"waterNeed":"moderate","photo":{"file":"/images/plants/agropyron-smithii.jpg","sourceUrl":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/152692735","observationUrl":"https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92237941","license":"cc-by","attribution":"(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY)","fetchedOn":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z"},"evidence":[{"source":"idaho-firewise-master-db","verdict":"mixed","verdictRaw":"fire-resistance score 4 of 10","score":{"value":4,"scale":"idaho-0-10"},"sourcePlacement":{"value":"plantable at 70' from home","scheme":"idaho-distance"},"url":"https://idahofirewise.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/FireXResistanceXofXPlantsXMasterXDatabase.pdf","accessedOn":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"firesmart-bc","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"FireSmart-approved fire-resistant plant","claims":"Flagged by FireSmart BC as needing more research.","url":"https://firesmartbc.ca/landscaping-hub/fire-resistant-plants/","accessedOn":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"unr-compilation-good-plant-choices","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"listed by at least two cited sources","claims":"Compilation marks: UCFPL 1997, OSU FRN 6, USU NR/FF/002.","edition":"SP-05-16 (2005)","url":"https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=4762","documentDate":"2005-01-01T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"usu-firewise-plants-utah","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"listed as a firewise plant for Utah landscapes","claims":"Source says the plant can be firewise when properly used and maintained.","edition":"2005 revision","url":"https://extension.usu.edu/smallfarms/files/FirewisePlantsUtLandscapes.pdf","documentDate":"2005-02-01T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"ua-az1289","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"listed FIREWISE plant material","claims":"Listed among fire-resistant plant materials for Arizona above 3,000 feet.","edition":"2011 revision","url":"https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1289.pdf","documentDate":"2011-12-01T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"unr-fs-97-36-greenstrips","verdict":"recommend","verdictRaw":"Common perennial plants used in greenstrips and selected characteristics important to their establishment and use","claims":"Table 1 row: Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum Smithii). Minimum yearly precipitation: 8-10 inches; salt or alkali tolerance: High; status: N; growth form, flower color, or season: Sodformer; varieties: ‘Arriba’, ‘Barton’, ‘Rosanna’. The fact sheet says greenstrips should be grazed or mown frequently enough to reduce fuel buildup; otherwise their effectiveness is reduced dramatically.","sourcePlacement":{"value":"common perennial plant used in a maintained northern Nevada greenstrip","scheme":"unr-fs-97-36-greenstrip"},"edition":"Fact Sheet 97-36","url":"https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/PMS/Pubs/2020-3342.pdf","documentDate":"1997-01-01T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"time to flaming (s): 3.398","score":{"value":3.398,"scale":"FLAMITS — time to flaming (s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 17366; Ignitability measurement; plant part whole plant; fuel live; predrying yes; device burning bench; site Gao2018-1; sampling june to august 2016. Primary study Gao2018: Gao, X., & Schwilk, D. W. (2018). Grass Canopy Architecture Influences Temperature Exposure at Soil Surface. Fire 1, 35.","plantPart":"whole-plant","original":"Gao2018","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"flaming duration (s): 51.96666667","score":{"value":51.96666667,"scale":"FLAMITS — flaming duration (s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 17367; Sustainability measurement; plant part whole plant; fuel live; predrying yes; device burning bench; site Gao2018-1; sampling june to august 2016. Primary study Gao2018: Gao, X., & Schwilk, D. W. (2018). Grass Canopy Architecture Influences Temperature Exposure at Soil Surface. Fire 1, 35.","plantPart":"whole-plant","original":"Gao2018","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"smouldering duration (s): 71.386","score":{"value":71.386,"scale":"FLAMITS — smouldering duration (s)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 17368; Sustainability measurement; plant part whole plant; fuel live; predrying yes; device burning bench; site Gao2018-1; sampling june to august 2016. Primary study Gao2018: Gao, X., & Schwilk, D. W. (2018). Grass Canopy Architecture Influences Temperature Exposure at Soil Surface. Fire 1, 35.","plantPart":"whole-plant","original":"Gao2018","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"flamits","verdict":"not-rated","verdictRaw":"flame height (cm): 94.93333333","score":{"value":94.93333333,"scale":"FLAMITS — flame height (cm)"},"claims":"FLAMITS record 17369; Combustibility measurement; plant part whole plant; fuel live; predrying yes; device burning bench; site Gao2018-1; sampling june to august 2016. Primary study Gao2018: Gao, X., & Schwilk, D. W. (2018). Grass Canopy Architecture Influences Temperature Exposure at Soil Surface. Fire 1, 35.","plantPart":"whole-plant","original":"Gao2018","edition":"Dryad version 9","url":"https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h18931zr3","documentDate":"2023-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}],"flammabilityClass":"fire-resistant","ratingReason":"consensus","recommendation":"on-list","author":"grayson-graham","reviewStatus":"draft","lastVerified":"2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z","reviewNotes":"Photo auto-selected (top-voted iNat); human review pending."},"localAssessmentInputs":{"stateDistribution":["AK","AR","AZ","CA","CO","GA","IA","ID","IL","IN","KS","KY","MA","MI","MN","MO","MT","ND","NE","NH","NM","NV","NY","OH","OK","OR","SD","TN","TX","UT","WA","WI","WY"],"nativeStates":[],"rangeAssertions":[{"relation":"documented-occurrence","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["AK","AR","AZ","CA","CO","GA","IA","ID","IL","IN","KS","KY","MA","MI","MN","MO","MT","ND","NE","NH","NM","NV","NY","OH","OK","OR","SD","TN","TX","UT","WA","WI","WY"]},"provenance":"legacy-field"}],"usdaZoneMin":"4a","usdaZoneMax":null,"hardinessAssertions":[{"minimum":"4a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-28,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"PASM","sourceTaxon":"Agropyron smithii","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 24416, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"}],"hardinessSelection":{"status":"selected","assertion":{"minimum":"4a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-28,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"PASM","sourceTaxon":"Agropyron smithii","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 24416, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"},"assertions":[{"minimum":"4a","interpretation":"minimum-threshold","precision":"half-zone","zoneMapping":"derived-containing-band","sourceMeasurement":{"kind":"minimum-temperature","value":-28,"unit":"degrees-fahrenheit"},"applicability":"applicable","source":"usda-plants-characteristics","sourceRecordId":"PASM","sourceTaxon":"Agropyron smithii","taxonMatch":"source-identifier","sourcePlacement":"PlantCharacteristics record 24416, Temperature, Minimum (°F)","sourceVersion":"PLANTS Help Document 2022; characteristics cache retrieved 2026-08-23","asOf":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","provenance":"cited"}]},"invasiveIn":[],"statusAssertions":[],"fireEvidenceClass":"fire-resistant","recommendation":"on-list","fireSourceScopes":[{"source":"idaho-firewise-master-db","sourceName":"Fire Resistance of Plants Master Database","sourceUrl":"https://idahofirewise.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/FireXResistanceXofXPlantsXMasterXDatabase.pdf","geography":{"grain":"aggregate-region","stateCodes":["ID"],"regions":["Southern Idaho"]},"completeness":"partial","reviewStatus":"reviewed","scope":"The official database labels itself \"For Southern Idaho\" and describes Idaho residents at the urban-rangeland interface. FireApproved publishes 419 existing plant owners that cite its scored rows. This bounded Southern Idaho scope is regional context, not statewide coverage or a conclusion that the score transfers unchanged to every Idaho site.","sourceVersion":"Idaho-Firewise-Southern-Idaho-Master-2013-11-08","asOf":"2013-11-08T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"ua-az1289","sourceName":"FIREWISE Plant Materials for 3,000 ft. and Higher Elevations (AZ1289)","sourceUrl":"https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1289.pdf","geography":{"grain":"aggregate-region","stateCodes":["AZ"],"regions":["Arizona at or above 3,000 feet"]},"completeness":"partial","reviewStatus":"reviewed","scope":"AZ1289 is explicitly limited to Arizona elevations of 3,000 feet and higher. FireApproved publishes 69 exact owners as regional Arizona context, retaining every water and elevation condition. It is never promoted to statewide low-desert guidance or an independent Tier 1 vote.","sourceVersion":"UA-Extension-AZ1289-2011-12","asOf":"2011-12-01T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"unr-compilation-good-plant-choices","sourceName":"A Compilation of Good Plant Choices for Nevada's High Fire Hazard Areas (SP-05-16)","sourceUrl":"https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=4762","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["NV"]},"completeness":"partial","reviewStatus":"reviewed","scope":"University of Nevada Cooperative Extension compiled plants suited to Nevada climate zones and reported favorably by at least two upstream firewise lists. FireApproved publishes 126 exact source owners at Nevada publication scope. The source explicitly makes no independent flammability determination, so these rows remain corroborative.","sourceVersion":"UNR-Extension-SP-05-16-2005","asOf":"2005-01-01T00:00:00.000Z"},{"source":"usu-firewise-plants-utah","sourceName":"Firewise Plants for Utah Landscapes (NR/FF/002)","sourceUrl":"https://extension.usu.edu/smallfarms/files/FirewisePlantsUtLandscapes.pdf","geography":{"grain":"state","stateCodes":["UT"]},"completeness":"partial","reviewStatus":"reviewed","scope":"Utah State University Extension states that this fact sheet selects examples for Utah landscapes and that they require proper placement and maintenance. FireApproved publishes 83 exact source owners at Utah publication scope. The table is not a site-specific planting clearance.","sourceVersion":"USU-NR-FF-002-2005-02","asOf":"2005-02-01T00:00:00.000Z"}],"firePerformanceConditions":[],"maintenanceAssertions":[],"maintenanceConditions":null,"regulatoryReviews":{},"seedReviews":{}},"legacyCompatibilityProjection":{"nativeStates":[],"invasiveIn":[],"usdaZoneMin":"4a"},"localAssessmentContract":"Compare each dimension separately. State noxious-weed seed designations are material-scoped and never become non-seed plant restrictions, ecological-invasive findings, nursery restrictions, alternatives, product evidence, or fire votes. Introduced/established context is not an invasive warning. Minimum-only hardiness has no inferred maximum; canonical source-temperature conversion is validated and contradictory applicable rows project no primary zone. L48 context applies only to conterminous states and is never exact-state status. Fire-performance conditions are not maintenance advice. FEIS fire-ecology context does not vote in the plant classification. Absence of a status row is not regulatory clearance."}