Cynosurus echinatus

Cynosurus echinatus_hedgehog dogtail grass_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: hedgehog dogtail; annual dogtail; bristly dogtail grass; hedgehoggy

Cynosurus echinatus (hedgehog dogtail grass) is an annual or short-lived perennial grass (family Poaceae) that is native to southern Europe and has been introduced and established to the Americas and Australia. It flowers in summer and can be found at lower elevations along trails and disturbed areas in both open and wooded areas. This species can be distinguished by having awns and flowers that all point in one direction on the inflorescence, giving it a bristly look. Cynosurus echinatus can produce monocultures, reduce forage desirability, and increase fire hazard by leaving persistent thatch.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Cynosurus echinatus Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Cynosurus echinatus_inflorescence_ZoyaAkulova
    Cynosurus echinatus (hedgehog dogtail) inflorescence. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Cynosurus echinatus_leaf sheath and ligule_ZoyaAkulova
    Cynosurus echinatus (hedgehog dogtail) leaf sheath and ligule. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Cynosurus echinatus_nodes_ZoyaAkulova
    Cynosurus echinatus (hedgehog dogtail) nodes. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Cynosurus echinatus_seeds_JeanPawek
    Cynosurus echinatus (hedgehog dogtail) seeds. Photo: Jean Pawek