Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass

Bromus tectorum

Information Sheet (PDF)

Colorado List C - Control recommended

General

• Annual to winter annual
• Family: Poaceae (Grass)
• Introduced from Europe

Common Names

• Downy Brome

Habitat

• Found in rangelands, pastures, open areas, roadsides and disturbed areas

Plant

Vegetation

• Covered with soft hairs; turns reddish late in season
• Leaves about 1/8 inch wide and up to 8 inches long
• Mature plants up to 2 feet tall

Roots

• Fibrous to 12 inches deep

Flower

• Nodding panicles to 8 inches long
• Season: May to June

Seed

• Germinates in fall through early spring

Seedling

• Bright green

Reproduction

• Seed

Control

Biological

• None

Chemical

• View Information Sheet (PDF)

Cultural

• Fertilization to promote grass cover
• Prevention - maintain health of site
• Removal - bag and dispose of plants if seeds have started to develop
• Re-vegetation of highly disturbed sites

Mechanical

• Burning - Cheatgrass burns readily; follow-up herbicide treatment and re-vegetation is necessary. Cheatgrass can cause increased fire risk; consult your local fire department for burning requirements and restrictions
• Grazing - Early season grazing may help; graze before boot stage, then again 3 to 4 weeks later; animals will not graze once seed heads develop
• Mowing - Not effective; plants will regrow and still set seed

Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.