# Cheatgrass (*Bromus tectorum*) Cheatgrass is a tall, green grass that grows in many places. It has long, slender leaves and can turn golden brown in the summer. It's often found in fields and along roadsides. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Cheatgrass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/20160426Bromus_tectorum1.jpg&width=800) Photo: AnRo0002, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20160426Bromus_tectorum1.jpg) ## Appearance The Cheatgrass is a slender, annual grass that typically grows in dense patches. Its soft, downy leaves can appear green, often turning purplish before drying to a distinct golden-brown. It has characteristic drooping, feathery seed heads. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Poales - **Family:** Poaceae - **Genus:** Bromus ## Interesting facts - Cheatgrass loves disturbed soil, often popping up after construction or fires. - It turns entire hillsides reddish-purple before drying to a golden brown. - Its early growth provides food, but dried seeds hurt grazing animals. - One tiny cheatgrass plant can make hundreds of sharp, barbed seeds! ## Special abilities - **Fire Fueler:** Cheatgrass dries early and quickly, creating lots of fine fuel that helps fires spread faster and more often. - **Seed Drifter:** Its seeds have tiny barbs that hook onto animal fur and clothes, helping them travel far and colonize new places. - **Speedy Sprouter:** Cheatgrass can grow incredibly fast, quickly sprouting and outcompeting many native plants for water and nutrients. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-60 cm - **Spread:** 5-15 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring-early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Graze on young shoots. - **Eaten by:** [Black-tailed Jackrabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tailed-jackrabbit) (*Lepus californicus*) — Feeds on green plants. - **Eaten by:** [California Quail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-quail) (*Callipepla californica*) — Eats fallen seeds. - **Eaten by:** Prairie Vole (*Microtus ochrogaster*) — Consumes leaves and seeds. ## Traits - [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Agricultural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/agricultural): This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful not to touch sharp grass blades, as they can be pointy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cheatgrass? Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Cheatgrass? 15-60 cm ### How wide does Cheatgrass spread? 5-15 cm ### How big are the flowers on Cheatgrass? 1-2 cm ### When does Cheatgrass bloom? Spring-early summer ### Is Cheatgrass edible? Yes ### Is Cheatgrass toxic? None ### What is Cheatgrass's lifecycle? Annual ## Where to spot - [Gary City Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gary-city-center-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Richard Bong State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/richard-bong-state-recreation-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/navajo-nation-zoological-and-botanical-park) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [ZooMontana](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoomontana) — Montana, US · Zoo - [Bronzeville](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bronzeville) — Illinois, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Cheatgrass](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cheatgrass) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Cheatgrass: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cheatgrass)