wild rye

American  

noun

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of wild rye

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wild rye

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2019

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

From Washington Times ● Nov. 9, 2014

A Canadian wild rye, new as a forage crop, promises heavier yields than the common meadow grass.

From Time Magazine Archive

For the winter they lay up a provision of acorns and wild rye: the latter grows here very abundantly.

From A New Voyage Round the World, in the years 1823, 24, 25, and 26, Vol. 2 by Otto von Kotzebue

A few poppies here and there among the wild rye floated scarlet in sunshine like blood-drops on green water.

From The Trespasser by D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence