The optimal time for a burn is the “soft dough” stage, i.e., seeds exude a milky substance when squeezed. Prescribed Fire: Prescribed fire has reportedly been effective when medusahead stands are burned using a slow, hot fire after seeds have ripened but before they have fallen. Tillage can be used to manage medusahead plants and break up deep thatch layers. Disking and plowing before seed set can be effective, particularly if followed by chemical spot treatments and revegetation. Mechanical: Medusahead is virtually impossible to eradicate using mechanical control methods alone. Photo by: Joseph M DiTomaso, University of California-Davis, The silica-rich medusahead plants are slow to decompose and form a persistent litter layer on the soil surface. The stiff awns and hard florets can injure the eyes, noses and mouths of grazing animals. Although livestock will eat medusahead in the spring and when other feed is limited, it has low feed value. Because of its high silica content, medusahead is unpalatable to livestock and wildlife except during early growth stages. Medusahead is of great concern to the range livestock industry because it can severely reduce grazing capacity (up to 75%) by suppressing desirable vegetation. It is extremely competitive and often forms dense stands, usually more than 100 plants/ft2. The plant commonly invades rangeland communities. Soils with high clay content are most susceptible to medusahead establishment. Seed is dispersed by wind, water and by moving objects to which the barbed awns adhere. Medusahead reproduces by seed, and seed production is prolific. Medusahead has a fibrous root system that depletes upper soil moisture early in the season and extracts deep soil moisture later in the season. Medusahead is sometimes confused with foxtail barley or squirreltail, but can be distinguished by a seed head that does not break apart as seeds mature. As the plant matures, it turns purple and eventually light gray or tan. Because medusahead matures several weeks later than most other annual grasses, its green color stands out against a backdrop of brown grasses. Awns are straight when green, but twist as they dry in a “snake-like” fashion reminiscent of the mythological medusa head. The longer of 2 awns in each spikelet contains upward pointing barbs. The inflorescence contains 2 to 3 spikelets per node.
The leaf blades are somewhat rolled and are generally no more than 1/8 inch wide.
Medusahead produces tillers but few leaves. Plants grow from 8 inches to 2 feet tall, depending on the site. Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski), is a cool-season annual grass native to the Mediterranean region. Also Known As: medusahead rye, medusahead grass, medusa’s head