Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.)

Cheatgrass, downy brome, is an annual or winter annual that reproduces by seed. The plants are 4 to 30 inches tall and are covered with soft hairs at all stages of growth. Mature cheatgrass seed heads, 2 to 6 inches long, contain seed, 3/8 to 3/4 inch long, with awns up to 5/8 inch long. The awns are usually purplish at maturity.

Cheatgrass was introduced from southwestern Asia in soil used as ballast in ships traveling from Eurasia. It is now widely distributed throughout North America and is common along roadsides, waste areas, misused pastures and rangelands, and cultivated crop areas. The plant competes with more desirable perennial grasses for moisture because of its winter and early spring growth habit. After maturity it becomes a nuisance and a fire hazard. Cheatgrass can dramatically influence plant community composition by its effect on fire regimes.