Looking out your kitchen window, you might have noticed some weeds that look an inch or two taller than your carefully landscaped lawn. While they certainly don't look like your average wheat plant, there are times when their presence can be a bit puzzling. In this article, we'll go over some common weeds that may appear to be woven into your weave of a green rug and how to deal with them.
Weeds That Look Like Wheat
1. Wild Oats
Wild oats (Avena fatua) are a common plant that can be found in areas with recently disturbed soil. These hearty plants are often confused with wheat due to their similarity in height and appearance. However, the key difference between the two is that wild oats have drooping oat-like seeds, while wheat seeds are smooth and round.
2. Cheatgrass
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is a wiry annual grass that has fluffy leaves and nodding seed heads. While it shares similarities with wheat in appearance, cheatgrass is distinguished by its awns, which are lacking in wheat varieties. Cheatsgrass is known for its competitive nature and its ability to spread quickly, making it a dominant weed in many ecosystems.
3. Italian Ryegrass
Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is a cool season grass that can be found in lawns during the spring and summer months. It is a shorter-lived grass that often serves as an overseeder, filling in gaps in the lawn when other grasses are not yet mature. French bluestem grows tall and has many compact spikes that resemble small wheat ears.
4. Annual Ryegrass
Annual ryegrass (Festuca perennis) is a common annual grass that can be found in lawns throughout the United States. It grows in dense bunches and produces many Compact spikes that resemble small wheat ears. French bluestem grows tall and has many compact spikes that resemble small wheat ears.
5. Yellow Foxtail
Yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila) is an annual grass that resembles common wheat in appearance. It grows in lawns, gardens, agricultural fields, and pastures and is often seen in recently disturbed soil. Yellow foxtail can be controlled through a combination of hand-pulling, routine mowing, and pre-emergent herbicide treatments.
6. Dallisgrass
Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) is a perennial grassland plant native to South America. It can be found in lawns, parks, sports fields, and other areas with heavy traffic. This plant spreads through rhizomes and can form coarse patches that choked out all other plant life. The best way to control dallisgrass is to maintain a thick and healthy lawn and pull out any sprouts by hand.
7. Barnyard Grass
Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa cristata) is a summer annual plant that can be found in lawns and pastures. It grows in dense clusters and has an open panicle with distinctive spikelets that resemble wheat. Barnyard grass is a highly competitive plant that can infest cropland and residential landscapes.
8. Feathered Reed Grass
Feathered Reed Grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora) is an ornamental grass that can be found in lawns, gardens, and other disturbed areas. It has tassel-like seed heads that resemble wheat and only grows to about half the height of true wheat.
9. Wall Barley
Wall Barley (Hordeum murinum) is a wild version of the barley we grow for food. It grows in areas with recently disturbed soil and has feathers-like seed heads that resemble wheat. The best way to control wall barley is to mow before seed development or use a nonselective herbicide like glyphosate.
10. Hare Barley
Hare barley (Hordeum murinum spp. leporinum) is a subspecies of wall barley that grows similar to wall barley and hasBranches.
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Looking at the list above, it seems that we have a bit of a problem on our hands with these seemingly similar weeds. However, the good news is that many of these weeds can be effectively managed through a combination of mowing, hand-pulling, and proper chemical control.
Conclusion
The key to managing weeds that look like wheat is to be proactive. By maintaining a healthy and well-maintained lawn and being aware of the different characteristics of each type of weed, it is possible to avoid or control the spread of these unwelcome guests.
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