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This perennial bunchgrass that grows to 100 cm tall and occurs in large clumps. The tufty shape of this grass directs rain water to the middle of the plant while shading the ground around it. Found throughout the southern interioar grasslands south of Quesnel. Bluebunch wheatgrass is an important forage base for wild and domestic grazing animals.
Brittle prickly-pear cactus
One of only two cacti found in British Columbia, the brittle prickly-pear survives the hot, dry climate by storing water in its fleshy, wax-coated stems. The beautiful yellow flowers come out after June rains.
Low-growing perennial plant with fern-like leaves and flower stalks clustered close to the ground. Flowers are white to purplish. Plants grow on warm open grassland slopes and dry gravelly areas.
A greyish green shrub with triangular leaves that have three "teeth" at the tip. The sage smell and late-blooming yellow flowers are enjoyed throughout the lower grasslands in the summer and early fall.
Want to find out about species at risk in open grasslands?Go to Species at Risk
Here are some representative species in open grasslands:
Grasses:Idaho fescueJunegrassRough fescueSandberg’s bluegrassForbs:
Arrow-leaved balsamrootChocolate lilyCommon red paintbrushMariposa lilyNuttall’s larkspurPasture sageSagebrush buttercupShooting starSilky lupineSticky geraniumWestern yarrow Yellow bellShrubs:Antelope brushRabbitbrushRed: Lyall’s mariposa lilyMonroe’s globe-mallowNettle-leaved giant-hyssopRough pennyroyal (Hedeoma hispida)Scarlet gaura (Gaura coccinea)Snowy phloxIllustrations:J.R.Janish copyright used with permission by the University of Washington Press
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