Cheatgrass

Dried Cheatgrass next to base of barn.
Cheatgrass seed.
Cheatgrass plant.
Patch of Cheatgrass in pine grove.

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


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.


Treatment Timeline

 


JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
Control











Burning
Prior to seed-set.  Consult with your fire district







Removal











Herbicide





pre-emerge


Growth











Vegetative











Flowering











Seed