Jointed goatgrass: declared pest

Form: grass — annual

Status: not present in WA

Jointed goatgrass is a winter annual grass, vegetatively similar to wheat. Native to the Mediterranean Europe and western Asia.

Appearance

Stems: Erect, 0.4-0.8 metres tall.

Leaves: Alternately arranged with auricles at their base and occasional hairs extending along the margins.

Flowers: Flower spike is cylindrical and distinct from wheat. Two to four flowers are arranged in each of the spikelets which form the elongate cylindrical spike.

Seeds: Spike is jointed in appearance and each joint contains one to three seeds. The glumes on the top spikelet have long awns. The seed of jointed goatgrass shatters easily.

Agricultural and economic impact

A serious weed of wheat, also a close relative of wheat that has been used across Australia by plant breeders. Jointed goatgrass is highly competitive in winter. Wheat grain contaminated with jointed goatgrass cannot be certified. Jointed goatgrass is a serious problem in small grains because its seed size and weight make it very difficult to separate goatgrass from small grains (especially wheat seed). This means clean paddocks may be easily contaminated with wheat seed containing goatgrass.

Declared pest category

The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains information on the area(s) in which this pest is declared and the control and keeping categories to which it has been assigned in Western Australia (WA). Search for jointed goatgrass in WAOL using the scientific name Aegilops cylindrica.

Requirements for land owners/occupiers and other persons

Requirements for land owners/occupiers and other persons if this pest is found can be sourced through the declared plant requirements link.

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Control method

Control methods for this declared plant can be found through the jointed goatgrass control link.

Further information

Further information on jointed goatgrass can be found on the jointed goatgrass: what you should know page.