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wild rye

American  

noun

  1. any grass of the genus Elymus, somewhat resembling rye.


wild rye British  

noun

  1. any of various perennial grasses of the N temperate genus Elymus, resembling cultivated rye in having paired bristly ears or spikes and flat leaves

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wild rye

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Canyon Prince wild rye, Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’

From Los Angeles Times

But he pointed to a few sun-loving native plants such as MacGregor’s wild rye and a gnarled chinkapin oak, saying they offer clues about the land hundreds of years ago.

From Seattle Times

They also are restoring burned areas with native plants, including coastal sagebrush species and giant wild rye.

From Los Angeles Times

The park has 335 acres of green space seeded with fescue, bluestem, wild rye and other native grasses.

From Washington Times

They include pale purple coneflowers, milkweed, blue vervain, compass plants, wild rye and prairie dock.

From Washington Times