Bromus Tectorum
Downy brome, commonly known as Cheatgrass, is an annual winter invasive species that thrives in disturbed and agitated soils. Its ability to survive in a multitude of climates and its enormous seed production (500 seeds per plant) make it a perfect machine for ecosystem invasion. A grass species natively found in Asia, its widespread distribution in the American West dates back to
the turn of the century. Primarily introduced through cropping and other agriculture, its invasion weakens sagebrush ecosystems in resilience and susceptibility and becomes a management struggle for public lands agencies determined to protect native ecosystem. 
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Identifying Cheatgrass

• ​Annual grass that can grow from 6-24 inches tall.
• Emergent leaves are very thin, flat and have hair ("downy") roughly 2-6 inches in length.
• Once flowered they can be identified by long, slender spikelet seed groups that droop downwards (2-6 inches long with seed being roughly 1/2 inch in length).
• Mature plants have a red-brown color at the tip shown in the picture at left.
• Roots are relatively shallow, fibrous and grow many root hairs.

Problem Breakdown

The expansion of invasive cheatgrass has spread from the great-basin of Utah all the way into Western Colorado, but why is this species such a problem? Many characteristics of downy brome, partnered with the overuse of rangelands and wildfires left a perfect landscape for cheatgrass to invade aggressively. These factors make it excel at out-competing native vegetation. and altering landscape ecology.

• Cheatgrass completes its lifecycle quickly and is dry by mid-June and is a prolific seed producer. ​This rapid maturation and large-capacity of seeds over powers native vegetations and slowly takes over landscapes.
• Greater regrowth after fire. Cheatgrass is hyper adapted to fire and rejuvenates after large fires, continually altering the fire regimes of landscapes. 

A great description of the cheatgrass problem can be found here: https://www.sagegrouseinitiative.com/why-is-cheatgrass-bad/
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CheatGrass home remedies

The best way to prevent cheatgrass from spreading into your personal landscapes, or continuing onto public lands is by eradicating it as soon as possible. Just pulling any cheatgrass you've identified is a great starting point in helping prevent further spreading.
Uploading any identifying cheatgrass areas using the EDD Maps West website or uploading a report via the mobile app is integral to helping the larger effort to understand the expansion of cheatgrass.

More info and specific cheatgrass resources can be found under our resources page!

GO!