Medusahead

Information

Taeniatherum caput-medusae - Poaceae Family

medusahead_1_tile medusahead_2_tile medusahead_3_tile medusahead_4_tile

Identification

Flowers: Flowers are long awned and barbed at the end. Over time they become twisted and are reminiscent of the snake-haired Medusa of Greek mythology.
Seeds: Often confused with foxtail barley, Medusahead seed heads do not break apart as the seed matures.
Leaves: Stems are wiry with a few short leaves that are somewhat rolled.
Flowering Time: Germinates in the fall and, lives dormant over the winter, and sets seed in the spring.
Life cycle: A winter annual ranging from 6-24 inches in size. Medusahead prefers clay soil, because of its ability to hold moisture late in the season when fall germination takes place.

Impacts

Invades grasslands and rangelands, and can reduce the carrying capacity for domestic livestock up to 75%.
The barbs can puncture grazing animals and are easily transported because of their ability to cling to the feet and fur of humans and animals.
It is extremely competitive and can form dense stands as thick as 100 plants per square foot, transforming entire ecosystems.

Most effective control methods

No one method will eradicate Medusahead, and it is very important to incorporate revegetation into long term management plans.
For larger infestations, disking or plowing, chemical applications, and burning has proven to be the most effective combination of methods.
Because of its life cycle, control measures are most effective when implemented in both the fall as a preemergence, and the following early spring as a post emergence.
Herbicide applications including Plateau, Roundup and Landmark applied in the fall preemergence or very early post emergence in the spring can provide control greater than 90%.

Medusahead

Medusahead: flowers

Medusahead: flowers

Medusahead: fruits

Medusahead: fruits

Medusahead

Medusahead: infestation

Medusahead: seeds