Photograph of cheatgrass by Fort Collins Science Center biologist Janet Prevéy (USGS).
What is cheatgrass and how is it harmful?
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) originated in Europe or Eurasia and was introduced to the U.S. in the mid- to late-1800s as a contaminant in seed and straw. It germinates in the fall and early spring, and grows rapidly and in high numbers, making it highly competitive with native species. Cheatgrass is also disrupting the fire cycle in sage habitat and other Western ecosystems, leading to more frequent and more intense burns.
Learn More: Cheatgrass and Medusahead
Related
What is tamarisk?
Tamarisk is an invasive shrub or small tree that is found across the American West. Also known as saltcedar, tamarisk favors sites that are inhospitable to native streamside plants because of high salinity, low water availability, and altered streamflow regimes created by dams. Researchers debate the extent of tamarisk’s negative impacts, but this invasive species can and does alter habitat...
How do Chinese tallow's characteristics make it such an aggressive invader?
The invasive Chinese tallow tree has the ability to reach reproductive age in as little as 3 years and to remain productive for at least 60 years. It does not seem to have a preference for disturbed areas over undisturbed areas and can grow in a variety of places. It can also grow in both full sunlight and shade. It is more tolerant of salinity and flooding than quite a few other native species...
How far has Chinese tallow spread in the United States?
Chinese tallow has been cultivated in nurseries and sold as an ornamental tree used for landscaping; however, it is now classified as a nuisance species in some locations and can no longer be sold. It has separate pollen and seed-bearing flowers, and seeds can be spread by birds and by moving water. Chinese tallow has spread from South Carolina all the way down to Florida, west into Texas, and has...
What products can be created with Chinese tallow?
Tallow has been cultivated as a seed-oil crop in China for at least 14 centuries. Candles, soap, cloth dressing, and fuel are made from the tallow. Chinese vegetable tallow is a solid fat that is in the outer covering of the Chinese tallow seeds. The kernels produce an oil called stillingia oil that is used in machine oils, as a crude lamp oil, and in making varnishes and paints. It can also be...
What is buffelgrass?
Buffelgrass is a perennial grass from Africa that is invasive to the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest United States, where it threatens desert ecosystems by out-competing native plants and altering fire regimes. It has the potential to transform the Sonoran Desert ecosystem from a diverse assemblage of plants to a grassland monoculture. Buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in the 1930s for erosion...
Cheatgrass
Photograph of cheatgrass by Fort Collins Science Center biologist Janet Prevéy (USGS).
Grassland Ecosystems
While these vast open spaces might seem uniform, they're actually home to diverse plant and animal species, and they provide a whole host of ecosystem services! Migratory birds and grazing animals increase biodiversity and are loved by all. Wildflowers support pollinators that are vital to sustainable agriculture.
While these vast open spaces might seem uniform, they're actually home to diverse plant and animal species, and they provide a whole host of ecosystem services! Migratory birds and grazing animals increase biodiversity and are loved by all. Wildflowers support pollinators that are vital to sustainable agriculture.
Sagebrush patches invaded by cheatgrass
Cheatgrass has invaded the space between sagebrush shrubs on this landscape south of Rock Springs in Wyoming.
Cheatgrass has invaded the space between sagebrush shrubs on this landscape south of Rock Springs in Wyoming.
Burned landscape invaded by cheatgrass
This landscape in Rabbit Valley in Colorado was burned and then invaded by the exotic annual grass cheatgrass. A formerly diverse plant community was replaced by a sea of highly flammable grass.
This landscape in Rabbit Valley in Colorado was burned and then invaded by the exotic annual grass cheatgrass. A formerly diverse plant community was replaced by a sea of highly flammable grass.
Surveying for plants in a cheatgrass invaded landscape
Researchers identified plants along a transect at a site invaded by cheatgrass at Kuna Butte near Caldwell, Idaho.
Researchers identified plants along a transect at a site invaded by cheatgrass at Kuna Butte near Caldwell, Idaho.
Timelapse camera imagery of cheatgrass growing over time
Timelapse camera imagery of cheatgrass growing over time after the Mullen fire in southern Wyoming. These images provide precise dates of green-up, flowering, and senescence of cheatgrass which can be paired with local climate data to create phenological predictions.
Timelapse camera imagery of cheatgrass growing over time after the Mullen fire in southern Wyoming. These images provide precise dates of green-up, flowering, and senescence of cheatgrass which can be paired with local climate data to create phenological predictions.
Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities
Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities to Climate Change, Grazing, and Cheatgrass Throughout the 21st Century
Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities to Climate Change, Grazing, and Cheatgrass Throughout the 21st Century
Sagebrush Ecosystems in a Changing Climate and Adaptive Management
This webinar was conducted on July 17, 2017 as part of the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, held in partnership with FWS National Conservation Training Center.
This webinar was conducted on July 17, 2017 as part of the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, held in partnership with FWS National Conservation Training Center.
Cheatgrass on a frosty morning
Cheatgrass on a frosty morning at the SageSTEP project Five Creeks study site north of Steens Mountain in southeast Oregon.
Cheatgrass on a frosty morning at the SageSTEP project Five Creeks study site north of Steens Mountain in southeast Oregon.
Related
What is tamarisk?
Tamarisk is an invasive shrub or small tree that is found across the American West. Also known as saltcedar, tamarisk favors sites that are inhospitable to native streamside plants because of high salinity, low water availability, and altered streamflow regimes created by dams. Researchers debate the extent of tamarisk’s negative impacts, but this invasive species can and does alter habitat...
How do Chinese tallow's characteristics make it such an aggressive invader?
The invasive Chinese tallow tree has the ability to reach reproductive age in as little as 3 years and to remain productive for at least 60 years. It does not seem to have a preference for disturbed areas over undisturbed areas and can grow in a variety of places. It can also grow in both full sunlight and shade. It is more tolerant of salinity and flooding than quite a few other native species...
How far has Chinese tallow spread in the United States?
Chinese tallow has been cultivated in nurseries and sold as an ornamental tree used for landscaping; however, it is now classified as a nuisance species in some locations and can no longer be sold. It has separate pollen and seed-bearing flowers, and seeds can be spread by birds and by moving water. Chinese tallow has spread from South Carolina all the way down to Florida, west into Texas, and has...
What products can be created with Chinese tallow?
Tallow has been cultivated as a seed-oil crop in China for at least 14 centuries. Candles, soap, cloth dressing, and fuel are made from the tallow. Chinese vegetable tallow is a solid fat that is in the outer covering of the Chinese tallow seeds. The kernels produce an oil called stillingia oil that is used in machine oils, as a crude lamp oil, and in making varnishes and paints. It can also be...
What is buffelgrass?
Buffelgrass is a perennial grass from Africa that is invasive to the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest United States, where it threatens desert ecosystems by out-competing native plants and altering fire regimes. It has the potential to transform the Sonoran Desert ecosystem from a diverse assemblage of plants to a grassland monoculture. Buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in the 1930s for erosion...
Cheatgrass
Photograph of cheatgrass by Fort Collins Science Center biologist Janet Prevéy (USGS).
Photograph of cheatgrass by Fort Collins Science Center biologist Janet Prevéy (USGS).
Grassland Ecosystems
While these vast open spaces might seem uniform, they're actually home to diverse plant and animal species, and they provide a whole host of ecosystem services! Migratory birds and grazing animals increase biodiversity and are loved by all. Wildflowers support pollinators that are vital to sustainable agriculture.
While these vast open spaces might seem uniform, they're actually home to diverse plant and animal species, and they provide a whole host of ecosystem services! Migratory birds and grazing animals increase biodiversity and are loved by all. Wildflowers support pollinators that are vital to sustainable agriculture.
Sagebrush patches invaded by cheatgrass
Cheatgrass has invaded the space between sagebrush shrubs on this landscape south of Rock Springs in Wyoming.
Cheatgrass has invaded the space between sagebrush shrubs on this landscape south of Rock Springs in Wyoming.
Burned landscape invaded by cheatgrass
This landscape in Rabbit Valley in Colorado was burned and then invaded by the exotic annual grass cheatgrass. A formerly diverse plant community was replaced by a sea of highly flammable grass.
This landscape in Rabbit Valley in Colorado was burned and then invaded by the exotic annual grass cheatgrass. A formerly diverse plant community was replaced by a sea of highly flammable grass.
Surveying for plants in a cheatgrass invaded landscape
Researchers identified plants along a transect at a site invaded by cheatgrass at Kuna Butte near Caldwell, Idaho.
Researchers identified plants along a transect at a site invaded by cheatgrass at Kuna Butte near Caldwell, Idaho.
Timelapse camera imagery of cheatgrass growing over time
Timelapse camera imagery of cheatgrass growing over time after the Mullen fire in southern Wyoming. These images provide precise dates of green-up, flowering, and senescence of cheatgrass which can be paired with local climate data to create phenological predictions.
Timelapse camera imagery of cheatgrass growing over time after the Mullen fire in southern Wyoming. These images provide precise dates of green-up, flowering, and senescence of cheatgrass which can be paired with local climate data to create phenological predictions.
Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities
Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities to Climate Change, Grazing, and Cheatgrass Throughout the 21st Century
Response of Big Sagebrush Plant Communities to Climate Change, Grazing, and Cheatgrass Throughout the 21st Century
Sagebrush Ecosystems in a Changing Climate and Adaptive Management
This webinar was conducted on July 17, 2017 as part of the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, held in partnership with FWS National Conservation Training Center.
This webinar was conducted on July 17, 2017 as part of the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, held in partnership with FWS National Conservation Training Center.
Cheatgrass on a frosty morning
Cheatgrass on a frosty morning at the SageSTEP project Five Creeks study site north of Steens Mountain in southeast Oregon.
Cheatgrass on a frosty morning at the SageSTEP project Five Creeks study site north of Steens Mountain in southeast Oregon.
Updated Date: April 11, 2025