Trisetum flavescens, the yellow oatgrass or golden oat grass, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
It can be found elsewhere, such as sections of North America, where it was introduced as a rangeland grass for grazing.Grass Manual Treatment It now exists in the wild as a common weed.
Description Trisetum flavescens is a perennial bunchgrass growing in clumps up to tall, and known to exceed at times.
The inflorescence is a narrow panicle which is greenish yellow to purple when new and ages to bright golden yellow.Dixon, J. M. (1995). Trisetum flavescens (L.) Beauv. (T. pratense Pers., Avena flavescens L.) Journal of Ecology 83:5 895–909.
The grass is susceptible to yellow oat grass mosaic virus (YOgMV), a virus of genus Tritimovirus.Hassan, M., et al. (2009). Identification and characterization of a novel Tritimovirus species isolated from wild Trisetum flavescens L., family Poaceae. Virus Genes 39:1 146–52.
Toxicity This grass is noted for being toxic to livestock, causing calcinosis, the deposition of calcium in soft tissues including muscle and tendons, the heart and large arteries including the aorta. Cattle suffer difficulty in moving and standing and reduced milk production.Braun, U., et al. (2000). Enzootic calcinosis in 16 cows from 6 dairy farms in Unterengadin. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 142:6 333–8. Goats suffer heart murmurs and arrhythmias, weight loss, difficulty in walking, kneeling, and rising, and reduced milk production.Braun, U., et al. (2000). Enzootic calcinosis in goats caused by golden oat grass (Trisetum flavescens). Veterinary Record 146 161–2. Horses suffer tenderness in tendons and ligaments, weight loss, and problems with movement.Grabner, A., et al. (1985). Enzootic calcinosis in the horse. Tierarztl Prax Suppl. 1 84–93.
References
Ess. Agrostogr. 88, 153. 1812
External links
GrassBase entry: Trisetum flavescens
Jepson Manual Treatment: Trisetum flavescens