Jointed goat grass
Aegilops cylindrica
Synonyms: Aegilops cylindrica var. flavescens, Aegilops cylindrica var. pauciaristata, Aegilops cylindrica var. rubiginosa, Aegilops cylindrica var. typica, Aegilops cylindrica f. fuliginosa, Aegilops cylindrica subsp. pauciaristata, Aegilops cylindrica f. ferruginea, Aegilops cylindrica f. brunnea, Aegilops cylindrica var. aristulata, Aegilops squarrosa var. cylindrica, Cylindropyrum cylindricum subsp. pauciaristatum, Aegilops cylindrica var. albescens, Aegilops caudata var. cylindrica, Aegilops cylindrica var. longiaristata, Aegilops cylindrica var. multiaristata, Triticum cylindricum var. rumelicum, Triticum caudatum subsp. cylindricum, Aegilops caudata subsp. cylindrica, Aegilops cylindrica pubescens, Aegilops cylindrica var. ferruginea, Aegilops cylindrica var. kastoriana, Aegilops cylindrica var. brunnea, Aegilops nova, Aegilops cylindrica var. pubescens, Cylindropyrum cylindricum, Aegilops cylindrica var. rumelica, Aegilops cylindrica subsp. aristulata, Aegilops cylindrica var. fuliginosa, Aegilops cylindrica var. hirsuta, Aegilops cylindrica f. rubiginosa, Aegilops cylindrica f. prokhanovii, Aegilops cylindrica var. prokhanovii, Triticum cylindricum, Aegilops caudata var. hirsuta
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Botanical Description
Aegilops cylindrica, the jointed goatgrass, is an annual grass of the family Poaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus and southwestern Asia, and widely naturalised as a weed of wheat fields and other disturbed ground in North America and elsewhere. It produces erect to geniculately ascending culms 25–80 cm tall, often tufted from a fibrous root system. The leaf blades are narrowly linear, 4–15 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, with finely scabrous margins and short auricles at the base. The inflorescence is a slender, cylindrical, two-rowed spike 5–12 cm long that closely resembles the head of cultivated wheat and gives the species its name; the spike has 4–10 spikelets that remain together as cylindrical joints. Each spikelet bears two to three florets and the glumes are produced into single, stiff, scabrous awns 3–7 cm long. At maturity the entire spike breaks apart into joints that disperse with the awn acting as a hook. The species is genetically related to common wheat and contributes the D genome to that crop.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.