SafePlants

Goatgrass (Aegilops spp.)

Goatgrasses, belonging to the genus Aegilops, are a group of plants in the grass family, Poaceae. These grasses are native to Eurasia and North America.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Aegilops species, such as Aegilops triuncialis, have sharp-pointed seeds that may cause injury when eaten by livestock.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Aegilops
• Common Name: Goatgrass
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Species Examples:
  • Aegilops triuncialis (barbed goatgrass)
  • Aegilops cylindrica (jointed goatgrass)

Distribution and Habitat

• Aegilops species are found in Eurasia and North America.
• Aegilops triuncialis is native to many areas in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe.
• Aegilops cylindrica is found in all major United States winter wheat production regions, from Texas to South Dakota and eastern Montana, as well as all western states.
• Jointed goatgrass grows best in cultivated fields but can also invade other areas.

Ecological Role

• Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) is considered an invasive plant that competes with crops for water and nutrients, reducing the quality and yield of wheat and other crops.
• It is estimated that jointed goatgrass is spreading at a rate of 50,000 acres per year.
• Aegilops triuncialis (barbed goatgrass) is becoming a dominant species in rangelands, grasslands, and oak woodlands.

Morphological Characteristics

• Aegilops cylindrica (jointed goatgrass) is a winter annual that can reach 4 ft. (1.2 m) in height.
• The leaves are alternate, up to 0.5 in. (1.2 cm) wide.
• Jointed goatgrass is vegetatively similar to wheat in the seed stage and has auricles at the base of its leaves.

Quirky Facts

• One source mentions "goat grass" weighing 0.80 oz, spawning daily in certain places, with the attribute "Nenhum" (Portuguese for "none"). The context suggests this might be from a gaming or virtual world.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Jointed goatgrass can hybridize with winter wheat, reducing wheat crop yields.
• Jointed goatgrass is a major weed of winter bread wheat in the Midwestern and Western United States.

Further Information

• USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org.
• Colorado Natural Areas Program
• Field Guide for Managing Jointed Goatgrass in the Southwest. Forest Service. September 2014. Southwestern. Region. TP-R3-16-29. United States
• Integrated Management of Jointed Goatgrass in the Pacific Northwest. EB2042