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Be on the lookout
for these tiny and troublesome weeds
 Cheatgrass is
a potentially dangerous weed common in
Central Oregon. It is commonly
confused with another dangerous weed, the
foxtail. The danger lies in the
"invasiveness" of the dry seed pods found in
late summer and early fall. These pods have
one-way microscopic barbs that allow the
seed to work its way into fur, skin, and
mucous membranes, but not work itself back
out, much like the one-way movement of
porcupine quills. Foxtail weeds shed very
small black seeds which also work their way
into fur, skin, and tissue.
These annoying and troublesome weeds have
been found in the skin (i.e. between the
toes), eyes, ears, mouth, vulva and even
interior body cavities such as lungs and
abdomen, causing sometimes very serious
punctures and infections. It is important
not to underestimate the potential
seriousness of this common problem.
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