Stem

  • Wirelike, 6-28 in. tall, erect and slender
Photo of Ventenata plant

Leaves

  • Flat, narrow leaves, 0.6-2 in. long; leaves at base of plant; ligules are membranous and 0.04-0.15 in. long
Photo of a hand holding a Ventenata plant

Flower

  • Relaxed, open panicle, 8-10 in. long with spikelets at the end of spreading branches holding 3 florets 0.6 in. long; at least 1 floret will have a twisted awn 0.75-1 in. long attached to the lemma
Photo of Ventenata seeds

Root

  • Shallow fibrous roots
Photo of Ventenata plant

Other

  • Grows in open, disturbed areas and along roadsides; can establish on bare, dry soils; known to occur in Elko, Eureka and Washoe counties
  • Winter annual; high in silica, litter builds up on soil surface, similar to medusahead
  • Can be grazed early in the season, unpalatable to livestock as seedhead develops
 

Control

  • Hand-pulling is effective for small infestations; mowing can prevent seed production, repeated mowing may be required; burning can remove thatch, but it does not control the seedbank
  • Indaziflam or imazapic preemergence herbicides can be applied in the fall, preferably after the thatch layer is removed; glyphosate or rimsulfuron can be applied to actively growing plants
Peer Review Logo
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Ventenata, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Photo of canada thistle plant.
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Canada thistle
Canada thistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of malta starthistle plant with yellow and pink and red flowers
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Malta starthistle
Malta starthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
photo of perennial sowthistle patch
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Perennial sowthistle
Perennial sowthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of purple starthistle
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Purple Starthistle
Purple starthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of yellow starthistle plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Yellow starthistle
Yellow starthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

Associated Programs

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

master gardener team sitting on tractor

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.