Goatgrasses

Goatgrasses is a common name applied to several species of grasses in the tribe Triticeae, most often to species in the genus Aegilops. The best-known example is jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), a Eurasian species that has become a troublesome weed in wheat and other small‑grain crops in North America. The term may also refer to other Aegilops species and related grasses that resemble cultivated cereals.

Description and identification

Goatgrasses are generally slender, annual or perennial grasses with narrow leaves and compact inflorescences of spikelets. They produce numerous seeds that can persist in the soil as a seed bank. Many species are wind‑pollinated and capable of rapid local spread, especially in disturbed or heavily cropped areas.

Distribution and ecology

Native to parts of Europe, western Asia, and the Mediterranean region, goatgrasses have been widely introduced elsewhere as weeds in agricultural landscapes. They are commonly found along field margins, roadsides, and disturbed soils, where they compete with crops for water, nutrients, and light. Some species readily hybridize with cultivated wheats (Triticum spp.), which can complicate seed lots and crop quality.

Impact and management

Goatgrasses are primarily considered agricultural weeds in regions where cereals are grown. They can reduce yields through competition and contaminate grain with noncrop seeds. Management typically relies on integrated weed strategies, including crop rotation, prevention of seed production, careful sanitation of seed stocks, mechanical removal in small patches, and the use of herbicides where appropriate and permitted. Early detection and rapid response are important to limit the spread and persistence of seed banks.

See also

Aegilops species; weed management in cereals; hybridization between wild grasses and crops.