Jointed Goatgrass

Aegilops cylindrica

WA C Poaceae

Data Maturity Baseline

Washington State Classification

Class C — Widespread, County-Selected Control

Jointed goatgrass is a troublesome winter annual in winter wheat-fallow production areas.

Quick Reference

Type

annual herb

Origin

Europe and Asia

Identification

Growth Habit

Jointed goatgrass is a winter annual grass vegetatively similar to wheat in the seedling stage. Plants have upright stems that branch at the base, growing to around 2.5 feet tall.

Leaves

Leaves are alternately arranged with long hairs on margins and sheaths. Leaf blades are flat and 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide.

Flowers

It has a narrow, non-spreading spike of flowers with the appearance of a series of joints being stacked upon top of each other. Each joint has 2 to 6 small flowers.

Fruit & Seeds

Seed heads (spikes) are cylindric and narrow that break apart to spread seed during the summer months.

Impact

Jointed goatgrass is a troublesome winter annual in winter wheat-fallow production areas. It can hybridize with winter wheat and reduce wheat crop yields.

Ecology & Spread

Habitat

Jointed goatgrass is found mostly in wheat fields, but it survives along roadsides, waste areas, alfalfa fields, and pastures. It is found in most of the wheat producing areas of the Pacific Northwest and occurs in every Eastern Washington county. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of jointed goatgrass in Washington.

Spread Mechanisms

seed vegetative fragments

Reproduction

Jointed goatgrass reproduces by seed that is generally viable for 3 to 5 years. Hybridization may occur between it and wheat. The hybrid then consists of spikelets of both wheat and jointed goatgrass. The seeds of hybrids are usually sterile.