Medusahead
Taeniatherum caput-medusae
Also known as: Taeniatherum crinitum
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Taeniatherum
- Species:
- Taeniatherum caput-medusae
- USDA Symbol:
- TACA8
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- Invasive annual grass that often increases after fire due to reduced competition; fire does not control it.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, sandy, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas; invasive in some regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in fall with adequate moisture. Long awns facilitate self-burial.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI