SafePlants

Goatgrass (Aegilops spp.)

The genus Aegilops encompasses a variety of plants in the grass family, Poaceae, commonly known as goatgrasses. This group includes both Eurasian and North American species. Some species are considered troublesome weeds, particularly in agricultural settings.

Considerations for Pets

• Some goatgrasses, specifically *Aegilops triuncialis*, produce sharp-pointed seeds that have been reported to cause injury when eaten by livestock.

Scientific Classification

• Genus: Aegilops
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Kingdom: (Not specified in provided text)

Common Names

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

Synonyms and Alternative Names

• Jointgrass (for Aegilops cylindrica)

Distribution and Habitat

• Aegilops species 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.
• Aegilops triuncialis is native to many areas in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe.

Ecological Role

• Jointed goatgrass is considered an invasive plant and a noxious weed in many regions, including the Midwestern and Western United States.
• It competes with crops like wheat for water and nutrients, reducing crop quality and yield.
• It is estimated that jointed goatgrass is spreading at a rate of 50,000 acres per year.

Morphological Characteristics

• Aegilops cylindrica is a winter annual grass that can reach up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) in height.
• Its leaves are alternate, up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) wide, with auricles at their base.
• It is vegetatively similar to wheat in the seed stage, making it difficult to distinguish until spikes appear.

Genetics

• Jointed goatgrass and wheat are both polyploid and share one genome (D).
• Jointed goatgrass can hybridize with winter wheat, which can reduce wheat crop yields.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Jointed goatgrass is a host to the grass family.
• Introgression of leaf rust and stripe rust resistance from Sharon goatgrass (Aegilops sharonensis Eig) into bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been studied.

Quirky Facts

• In one instance, a city implemented an experimental goat grass-cutting program, but it proved costly, nearing $2000.
• In some instances, Goat Grass is noted to weigh 0.80 oz.

Further Information

• USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
• Colorado Natural Areas Program
• University of California Livestock and Natural Resources Program
• Field Guide for Managing Jointed Goatgrass in the Southwest (Forest Service, September 2014)
• Various Extension Bulletins (e.g., EB2042, EB1932) from universities in the Pacific Northwest and Nebraska.
• De Tibia Wiki