| barbed goatgrass |
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barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis L.)
ODA rating: A
Description
Annual; grows 8 to 16 inches tall with few to many culms. Leaf sheaths contain white hairs when young, becoming more or less smooth once matured. The blades are rigid, sharp, pointed, and spreading. Grain 1/4 inch long, resembling a wheat kernel.
Impacts
Barbed goatgrass is a rangeland and dry land crop invader. This species, aside from dominating dryland pastures in California, readily crosses with wheat, producing sterile seed and unmarketable wheat. Aegilops spp. are closely related to wheat, making selective control of goatgrass difficult in cereal crop production.When mature, it is unpalatable for livestock. In grasslands, it reduces the abundance of native perennial grasses and competes with desirable plants as well as native forbs. Research refers to this plant being used in wheat breeding programs worldwide for specific characteristics. It is highly invasive in the sheep grazing area of northern California.
Click on image to view larger photo.
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 Images courtesy of Ken French, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture |
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If images are downloaded and used from the ODA web site please be sure to credit the photographer.
Distribution
First documented site in Oregon 2003 in Josephine County.
Map legend
Yellow: limited distribution
Red: abundant
Grey: not known to be present
Biological controls
Biological control agents are not used on "A" listed weeds in Oregon. This weed is being managed for eradication or containment.
Informational Links
WeedMapper
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