Jointed goatgrass

Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

Aegilops cylindrica

Colorado noxious weed · List B — Stop the spread. CO-rules-2025

Established in some areas. Requirements vary by location: eradication, containment or suppression to stop further spread. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. Category source · What the lists mean.

Wheat-field and rangeland seed spread. Exposure help.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for People, Dogs & cats, Other animals. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.

Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

**green flowering stems** — A stand of slender green jointed-goatgrass stems with narrow cylindrical spikes.
Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-identified photograph with visual consistency check Spikes Taxonym: Aegilops cylindrica ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: next to Stammersdorf, Vienna-Floridsdorf - ca. 160 m a.s.l. Habitat: grassy stripe next to windbreak strip Source labeling and visible consistency checked; not an independent specimen determination.
Wikimedia-generated thumbnail rescaling only; downloaded bytes unchanged. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

**spikelet detail** — Source photographic plate showing jointed goatgrass spikelets and their attachment to the spike axis, with a 5 mm scale.
Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-identified photograph with visual consistency check Spikelets Taxonym: Aegilops cylindrica ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 ; det. Gergely Király 2015-06-07 Location: Veszprém County, Hungary - ca. 200 m a.s.l. Habitat: slope Source labeling and visible consistency checked; not an independent specimen determination.
Wikimedia-generated thumbnail rescaling only; downloaded bytes unchanged. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

**maturing stand** — Slender jointed-goatgrass stems and cylindrical spikes turning reddish brown in a dense stand.
Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-identified photograph with visual consistency check Jointed goatgrass has a very distinctive cylindrical inflorescence where the internode and the adjacent spikelet shatter (disarticulate) as a unit. Source labeling and visible consistency checked; not an independent specimen determination.
Wikimedia-generated thumbnail rescaling only; downloaded bytes unchanged. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

Recognize

An annual grass with narrow leaves and a cylindrical seed spike that looks like stacked segments. Leaf margins and collars bear hairs. J-jointed-goatgrass

Plants & habitat

Occurs in wheat fields, rangeland and disturbed corridors. Spreads by seed, so clean equipment and prevent seed maturation. J-jointed-goatgrass

People

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

Dogs & cats

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

Other animals

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. S27

References

CO-rules-2025 — Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2, Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
J-jointed-goatgrass — Jointed Goatgrass, Jefferson County, Colorado. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:08:57+00:00. Locator: Species description and management.
S27 — 2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds, PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.

Content revised 2026-09-07 03:50:00Z · Source checks dated separately in the references.