Jointed Goatgrass

Jointed Goatgrass Aegilops cylindrica Host Grass family
Key identifying traits A short lived, erect grass with one to many erect stems or tillers Leaves are alternate ⅛ to ¼ inch wide, with hairs on the leaf margins and at the stem juncture The seed spike or head is long and narrow having the appearance of half inch cylinders stacked on top of each other Each of the two to twelve half inch sections of the spike has 1 to 3 viable seeds At maturity the spike separates into segments with part of the central stem or rachis attached Biology and ecology A winter annual grass growing 15 to 30 inches tall Usually spread as a seed contaminant of winter wheat or by wheat harvesting equipment Very difficult to commercially separate segments from wheat seed due to similar size or to spray or cultivate goatgrass effectively in winter wheat due to common characteristics and ancestry Flowering and seed production from May to July Found primarily in wheat fields but can also survive along roadsides, waste areas and pastures Control Prevention – Learn to identify plants; know your property; beware of fill dirt, hay and particularly contaminated seed or equipment Biological – None available Cultural – Changing to different crops and rotations is very effective Mechanical – Will not stand spring tillage-small infestations may be removed by hand Chemical – Some effective but also kill winter wheat; refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical recommendations


*Where found –* Found in many continuous winter wheat operations in Stevens County. MSdoc pdf