crested wheatgrass

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Agropyron cristatum is a cool season perennial bunchgrass that grows from 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m) tall. It is native to Africa, temperate Asia, and parts of Europe. It was introduced to North and South America as a forage crop.
Foliage
The culms are erect with flat leaves which are about 0.08-0.24 in (2-6 mm) wide. The leaves are smooth below and slightly scabrous above.
Flowers
The spikelets are widely spreading with contoured glumes. They gradually taper into awns 0.08-0.2 in (2-5 mm) long.
Fruit
Seed heads are flattened vertically, with compact overlapping spikelets. Each seed has a short awn.
Ecological Threat
A. cristatum is cold and drought tolerant with a deep fibrous root system which allows it to compete successfully with both native plants and weeds. It has been planted as forage on 10-26 million acres in North America.

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Flower(s) close-up of inflorescence
Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired), Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) close-up of whole plant
Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired), Bugwood.org
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Plant(s)
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s)
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) Seedheads
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) Closer shot of a seedhead
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
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Distribution