Weed of the Month: Cheatgrass

What makes a plant an invasive plant?  Simply put it is a species that is not native to the ecosystem and causes economic or environmental harm. Invasive species can include both terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals. Not all non-native species become invasive; some can be added to agricultural crops and game animals to support human livelihoods and quality of life. But there are some non-native species that have the potential to cause significant environmental damage. 

The bromus tectorum, for instance, is a terrestrial invasive plant. It is also known as downy brome, drooping brome or cheatgrass, it is a winter annual grass native to Europe, southwestern Asia, but has become invasive to Wyoming.

Cheatgrass is a huge problem because it tends to grow across large areas and is quickly changing Wyoming native plant composition. When dry, cheatgrass provides the opportunity for wildfire spread and is difficult to get under control. After a fire, cheatgrass recovers faster than our own native plants and  causes more frequent fires. This vicious cycle of fire and recovery slowly changes our landscape, resulting in our native plants to disappear and only leaves growth of every invasive cheatgrass. 

Hand Pulling Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass is prolific, producing up to 500 seeds per plant. Seeds can germinate soon after maturation, but typically do not remain viable for more than two or three years. One seed can sprout and create a cycle that brings in more plants. Most invasive species can be killed with a specific chemical, but that can also endanger waterways, other plants and wildlife. Cheatgrass roots are fibrous, relatively shallow, and grow many root hairs. If you have a small, manageable garden or yard, hand pull the cheatgrass and cull its roots. It may take multiple seasons or growth cycles, but eventually, the plant will no longer dominate the foliage.  

If Cheatgrass is not controlled it becomes a huge problem for Wyoming and our own native plant composition. Your small patch of earth can start to become the solution to a bigger problem. Stop cheatgrass before it goes to seed!

Cheatgrass Mitigation

Our Cheatgrass Mitigation Project is drumming up again mid-July. We will notify the Town of Jackson of the aerial treatment as helicopter and drones are the best way to reach this more difficult treatment areas (particularly on buttes) in Jackson.