Key identifying traits
- An upright to somewhat
spreading grass growing 3-24” tall
- Leaf blades are flat and
the entire plant is softly hairy at all stages of growth
- Leaves start out light
green, turning a silvery sheen and then reddish-purple
- Drooping, one-sided seed
heads (panicles) are dense, 2-6” long & become brittle as the
plant dries, shattering & disbursing seeds with their long,
barbed awns (this is the one that gets in your shoes & socks,
pet’s ears & paws, undercarriage, etc!)
Biology and ecology
- Usually a winter annual
with a fibrous root system, germinating in fall, growing through
winter & maturing in late spring or early summer
- It is a native of
Eurasia; first sightings in the U.S. occurred in the mid-1800’s
and now widespread throughout the continent
- Frequently colonizes
overgrazed range, abandoned farmland, rights-of-way and many dry
waste areas
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; start monitoring early in the season or in
fall; clean equipment & use clean seed & feed
Biological –
Crown rot is being explored in dry sites
Cultural –
Do not overgraze! Vigorously growing desirable grasses/other cover
crops will help; crop rotation may be effective
Mechanical –Mowing
is not effective unless it is done continuously & very low; small
areas can be pulled or dug; tillage at appropriate times can be
effective
Chemical – There are many
products on the market listed for control of cheatgrass whether in a
crop situation or non-crop areas. Timing is important: refer to the
PNW Weed Management handbook for specific chemical
recommendations
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