medusahead |
|
| Cyperales > Poaceae > Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski
|
| Synonym(s): medusahead rye |
| Medusahead is an annual grass native to the Mediterranean region. Plants are 8-24 in. (20-60 cm) tall and have few leaves. Leaves are less than 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) wide. Flowering occurs in late spring, when flower heads develop at the apex of the stems. The seed heads are what distinguish this plant from other annual grasses. Awns twist as they dry, hence the common name “medusahead”. The longer of the two awns in each spikelet is barbed. These barbs catch on fur or clothing and spread seed. Medusahead was first collected in Oregon, in 1887. Plants invade dry, open lands with frequent disturbance. |
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
Selected Images
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| Number: | 5307038 |
| Description: | Diagram or Graphic; Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Misc. Publ. No. 200. Washington, DC. |
| Photographer: | USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database |
| | Additional Resolutions and Image Usage |
|
| |
External Links
Invasive Reference(s)
Subject Reference(s)
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. -
http://plants.usda.gov/
|
| |
