Wild Oats

(Avena fatua L.)

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ mature plants

▲▼ inflorescences

▲ ligule and collar region

Wild Oats:  (not in Weeds of the Great Plains; pp. 36-37, Weeds of the Northeast)

·         Stout, cool-season annual grass with blue-green leaves and inflorescences

·         Grows 1-3’ tall, leaves have strong texture and often rough to touch

·         Inflorescence is an upright panicle with drooping spikelets with long awns

·         Common in winter annual crops and more common in areas north and west of here; likes moist, heavy soils