Medusahead

Scientific name: Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski

Synonyms: Taeniatherum crinitum (Schreb.) Nevski var. caput-medusae (L.) Wipff; Elymus caput-medusae L.; Taeniatherum asperum (Simonkai) Nevski; Hordeum caput-medusae (L.) Crosson & Durand

Common names: Medusahead, medusa's head, medusahead rye, medusahead grass

Native To: Mediterranean Region

Date of U.S. Introduction: 1880s

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Probably introduced accidentally as a seed contaminant

Impact: Crowds out native species and forage for livestock

Current U.S. Distribution:

• PLANTS Database map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States map

Management Plans: Plants

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Medusahead
DOI. BLM. Alturas Field Office.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat; Distribution

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Taeniatherum caput-medusae Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Wanted: Dead - Medusahead Rye
USDA. Forest Service. Blue Mountains Natural Resources Institute.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Controls

Taeniatherum caput-medusae - Fire Effects Information System (FEIS)
USDA. FS. Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fire Sciences Laboratory.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Legal Aspects; Special Note: References

Plant profile for Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Illustrations; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Medusahead - EncycloWeedia
California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Medusahead (PDF | 183 KB)
State of California. Plumas-Sierra Noxious Weeds Management Group.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Medusahead
Colorado Department of Agriculture. Noxious Weed Management Program.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Medusahead Rye - Noxious Weed List
Oregon Department of Agriculture. Plant Division.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat

Medusahead
State of Utah. Tooele County.
Identification/Description; Photographs

Medusahead - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution

Medusahead: Economic Impact and Control in Nevada (PDF | 1 MB)
University of Nevada - Reno. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls

Medusahead Wanted Poster--Dead, Not Alive! (PDF | 134 KB)
University of Nevada - Reno. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Dispersion

30 Years Of Medusahead: Return To Fly Blown-Flat - Rangelands 23(3) (Jun 2001; PDF | 87 KB)
Texas A&M University - Uvdale. Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Controls

Taeniatherum caput-medusae - Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands Book (2000)
California Invasive Plant Council.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Medusahead (PDF | 8 KB)
State of California. San Benito County Weed Management Area.
Impacts; Controls