SafePlants

Goatgrass (Aegilops spp.)

Goatgrasses belong to the genus Aegilops, encompassing various species of plants within the grass family, Poaceae. They are native to Eurasia and North America.

Common Names

• Goatgrass
• Barb Goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis)
• Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Aegilops
• Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
• Tribe: Triticeae (specifically for Aegilops cylindrica, which also includes wheat and other cereals)

Considerations for Pets

• Several sources mention sharp-pointed seeds of some Aegilops species causing injury when eaten by livestock.

Distribution and Habitat

• Goatgrasses are native to Eurasia and North America.
• Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) is found in all western states of the United States and in all major U.S. winter wheat production regions (from Texas to South Dakota and eastern Montana). It is also present in Canada.
• Barb goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) grows in rangelands, grasslands, and oak woodlands.

Ecological Role

• Jointed goatgrass is often described as an invasive plant and a troublesome weed, particularly in winter wheat-fallow production areas.
• It 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 in some regions.

Morphological Characteristics

• Aegilops cylindrica (Jointed Goatgrass) is a winter annual that can reach 4 ft (1.2 m) in height.
• Leaves of Aegilops cylindrica are alternate, up to 0.5 in. (1.2 cm) wide, and have auricles at their base.
• Jointed goatgrass is vegetatively similar to wheat in the seed stage.
• Some Aegilops have sharp-pointed seeds.
• Erect grass with one to many erect stems or tillers.
• Spreads exclusively by seed.

Genetic Information

• Jointed goatgrass can hybridize with winter wheat, which can lead to reduced wheat crop yields.
• Jointed goatgrass (CD genomes) is a major weed of winter bread wheat (ABD genomes) in the Midwestern and Western United States.
• Both jointed goatgrass and wheat are polyploid with one genome (D) in common.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Jointed goatgrass competes with crops for resources.
• Some species are explored for introgression of rust resistance genes into wheat.

Further Information

• USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
• Colorado Natural Areas Program
• University of California Livestock and Natural Resources Program
• Southwestern Region, Forest Service
• Colorado Department of Agriculture