Medusahead

QUICK IDENTIFICATION

  • Wiry stems
  • A few short, narrow leaves
  • Long awns that emerge from the seed head and point outward and upward
  • Bright yellow-green color
  • Height from 6 to 24 inches


Weed Pictures



Weed Information


Type Information
Toxicity Non-toxic
Control Mechanical treatments, grazing management, prescribed burning, revegetation, biocontrol, and herbicide treatments. Contact your county weed district or local applicator for more information.
Habitat Semi-arid clay soils. Tends to thrive in regions with warm, dry summers and cool, moist weather from fall through spring.
Root Fibrous
Leaf Shape Slender, rolled, 1/8 in wide.
Lifespan Winter annual, meaning that seedlings emerge in the fall and initiate re-growth early in the growing season, reducing available soil moisture for perennial grasses.
Priority 1A Weed Not present or limited presence in Montana. If you think you’ve found this plant, please contract your county weed coordinator or MT Department of Agriculture immediately.
Similar Looking Plants Downy brome, foxtail barley and bottlebrush squirreltail
Important Information Unpalatable to livestock when mature. Aggressive and degrades rangelands. Builds up duff layer that ties up nutrients and may contribute to fire.
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