Cheatgrass (mixed with annual weeds)
Bromus tectorum · Cool-season annual, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Bromeae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (non-cultivated)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9
About This Grass
Slender annual grass that forms dense infestations, turning reddish-purple and then straw-colored and highly flammable by early summer; grows 6 to 24 inches tall with drooping, one-sided panicle seed heads containing awned spikelets
Blade Characteristics
Narrow flat blades (2-4 mm wide) with soft hairs on both surfaces; rolled in the bud (vernation); prominent membranous ligule; auricles absent
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system that germinates in autumn or winter, allowing it to deplete soil moisture before native perennials begin growing
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, southwestern Asia, and northern Africa; naturalized widely in North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type, establishing dense stands from seed each year
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, low water requirements, highly drought-tolerant as it completes its life cycle before summer drought; adapts to various soil types
Mowing & Maintenance
Not maintained as turf; controlled via herbicide, controlled burns, or hand-pulling; high maintenance/eradication priority
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive, creates severe wildfire risks due to dry thatch buildup, poor forage value once mature, aggressive seed production, sharp awns can injure livestock
Ecological Information
Introduced invasive weed in North America; disrupts native ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, provides temporary spring forage for wildlife before drying out