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
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
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
Barbed goatgrass seed

Root

  • Fibrous; spikelet that led to germination often still attached to base of plant
Barbed goatgrass
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)

Christine Kelly
Christine Kelly
 

Also of Interest:

 
Churchill Radon Map
This is the radon map of Churchill County, Nevada. This shows Radon potential based on data collected from completed radon tests from 1989-2018.
 Kelly, Christine 2022, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno IP
Carson City Radon Map
This is the radon map of Carson City, Nevada. This shows Radon potential based on data collected from completed radon tests from 1989-2018.
 Kelly, Christine 2022, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno IP