Taeniatherum caput-medusae is an annual grass native to Spain, France, Morocco and Algeria. In just over a hundred years in California it can now be found in most parts of the state. Being able to stay green later than other annual grasses, it can grow longer in large dense patches as many as 2,000 plants per square meter, outcompeting native grasses and forbs. Having a relatively high silica content it’s not very palatable to grazers and so its thatch builds up and the sharp seeds can injure the eyes and mouths of livestock.
