Ventenata, medusahead factsheet

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Ventenata and medusahead are winter annuals that emerge in late fall, winter, and spring. These grasses mature early in the summer providing fine fuels for wildfires.Ventenata and medusahead are frequently found together where conditions allow. These invasive annual grasses increase wildfire danger in shrublands and woodlands of the American West.

• Fine, highly flammable fuel loads facilitate larger and more frequent fires.
• Relatively high silica content make these grasses less palatable for grazing (unlike cheatgrass which is palatable in its green phase), and creates a build-up of litter on the soil surface.
• These species can spread throughout areas that once acted as natural fire breaks.