Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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Jointed goatgrass - Aegilops cylindrica
Figure 1: Jointed goatgrass plants
Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) is an invasive plant that reduces the quality and yield of wheat and other crops. It is difficult to control in wheat because it is genetically related to wheat: the two species have similar growth habits and biology and they are also known to cross with each other. Since wheat seeds are the same size and shape as jointed goatgrass spikelets, it is difficult to mechanically separate them.
Key Points:
- Looks similar to wheat
- Lowers yields of wheat and other crops
- Difficult to control
- Spreads with farm equipment, seed and grain
- Prohibited in seed under the Seeds Act
Where it's found
Jointed goatgrass grows in cultivated fields, pastures and disturbed areas along fences, ditches and roadsides.
This invasive plant is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It was likely introduced into the United States in contaminated winter wheat seed in the 1880s and has since become one of the most difficult weeds to control in the western states. To date in Canada it has been confined to two small sites in Ontario.
What it looks like
To the untrained eye, this invasive plant can look a lot like common grasses that grow in Canada.
Jointed goatgrass is an annual grass, 40-60 cm tall that looks similar to wheat. Unlike wheat, jointed goatgrass has narrower cylindrical spikes and evenly-spaced hairs extending from the leaf blade. The spikes are composed of a series of spikelets that contain one or more seeds.
How it spreads
Jointed goatgrass seed spreads primarily as a contaminant in wheat seed. It can also spread with farm machinery and when mixed in with grain, seed and straw of other cereals.
Legislation
Jointed goatgrass is listed as a prohibited noxious weed in the Weed Seeds Order under the Seeds Act. Its presence in domestic and imported seed for planting is prohibited.
What we can do about it
There are steps you can take to help stop the spread of this weed in Canada:
- Use certified seed.
- Ensure machinery brought onto the farm and to other areas is free of soil and plant parts.
- Look for jointed goatgrass in crops and in disturbed areas.
Reporting this invasive plant should be done through your local CFIA office. For a list of offices please call 1-800-442-2342 or visit the the CFIA website at: www.inspection.gc.ca.
Click on image for larger view
Figure 2: Jointed goatgrass spike
Figure 3: Hairs along leaf margins
Figure 4: Jointed goatgrass spikelets
in wheat grains
Figure 5: Jointed goatgrass
Photo Credits
Figure 1: Jointed goatgrass plants
Photo: Sam Brinker, OMNR-NHIC
Figure 2: Jointed goatgrass spike
Photo: Sam Brinker, OMNR-NHIC
Figure 3: Hairs along leaf margins
Photo: Steve Dewey, Utah State University
Figure 4: Jointed goatgrass spikelets in wheat grains
Photo: Phil Westra, Colorado State University
Figure 5: Jointed goatgrass
Photo: Steve Dewey, Utah State University
Invasive plants are plant species that spread when introduced outside of their natural past or present distribution and cause serious and often irreversible damage to Canada's ecosystems, economy and society.
