IDENTIFICATION
Provincial Noxious. Winter annual.
Jointed goatgrass has upright stems and long narrow leaf blades
with flap-like appendages at the bases. Seeds are produced on cylindrical
flowering spikes, 5-10 cm long. Mature plants are 35-75 cm tall.
DAMAGE
Jointed goatgrass is a very serious threat to winter wheat and
other cereal crops. Its genetic similarity and similar growth characteristics
to winter wheat make it very difficult to manage without harming crop
production.
HABITAT
This plant grows on both cultivated lands and rangelands. It is not currently
known in British Columbia but is found throughout the western United States.
SPREAD
A single jointed goatgrass plant can produce up to 3,000 seeds.
