I was reading Janice's post about cheat grass overtaking the native
grasses in Idaho due to overgrazing. We had the same problem in
Colorado. Does anyone know where cheat grass came from? Is it
indigenous to North America? We also refer to it as "wild oats." I
don't know its scientific name.
Thanks for any info.
Gary

Gary,

I was reading Janice's post about cheat grass overtaking the native
grasses in Idaho due to overgrazing. We had the same problem in
Colorado. Does anyone know where cheat grass came from? Is it
indigenous to North America?

The scientific name is Bromus tectorum.
AFAIK, it originally comes from Central Europe. At least i read that it's
indigenous to Germany....

Best wishes
Gaby

--
Mrs. Gaby Chaudry
http://www.gaby.de/bilder/

I worked on Rangelands in Oregon and Nevada for a season for BLM. I think I
remember hearing that in came over in livestock and was 'passed' into our
ecosystems that way. I believe it was locally attributed to Basque herders
in the Malheur County, OR area...Not sure if this is an exurban legend.
--
Mike LaMana, MS
Heartwood Consulting Services, LLC
Toms River, NJ
www.HeartwoodConsulting.net



"Gaby Chaudry" wrote in message
...
Gary,

I was reading Janice's post about cheat grass overtaking the native
grasses in Idaho due to overgrazing. We had the same problem in
Colorado. Does anyone know where cheat grass came from? Is it
indigenous to North America?

The scientific name is Bromus tectorum.
AFAIK, it originally comes from Central Europe. At least i read that it's
indigenous to Germany....

Best wishes
Gaby

--
Mrs. Gaby Chaudry
http://www.gaby.de/bilder/