| medusahead | USDA PLANTS Symbol: TACA8 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Grass or Grasslike |
| Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski |
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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae |
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| Synonym(s): medusahead rye | |
| Native Range: Africa, temp. & trop Asia, Europe (GRIN); | |
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. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Control; burning Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Prescribed Fire; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Medusahead on left, cheatgrass on right Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 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. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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