Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Barbed goatgrass, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

8-16 in. tall

Barbed goatgrass stem

Leaves

Gray green, 1-4 in. long, ridged and sharp; sparsely covered with long white hairs; ligules are
membranous and auricles are clasping

Barbed goatgrass

Flower

Seedheads are 1-2.5 in. long, reddish or purplish then dry to straw color; each spike has 4 sessile spikelets with 1-2 florets each; 3 long, stiff awns come from each glume; awns and glumes are all minutely barbed

Barbed goatgrass seed

Root

Fibrous; spikelet that led to germination often still attached to base of plant

Barbed goatgrass root

Other

Infests rangelands, grasslands, pastures and croplands; known to occur in Washoe county
Winter annual; seeds viable for 2+ years; high silica content produces persistent thatch layer
Livestock avoid mature plants due to awns; seedheads stick to clothing and fur
Can crossbreed with wheat, producing sterile seed and unsaleable wheat

Control

Hand pulling or hoeing is effective on small infestations; mowing is ineffective as plants will regrow; deep tilling can place seeds below sprouting depth, but repeated tilling can bring buried seeds to the surface; burning of infested fields may be effective, but will not control seedbank
Glyphosate effective on actively growing plants before flowering; chlorsulfuron, imazapic, sulfometuron are effective preemergence and early post emergence

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Barbed goatgrass