1. A fast-growing annual grass native to Asia and the Mediterranean, widely established in western North America, known for its ability to outcompete native vegetation and increase wildfire risk.
Usage: Also called downy brome or drooping brome; Ecological and agricultural contexts

Examples

• Cheatgrass has invaded millions of acres of rangeland in the western United States.
• The spread of cheatgrass has altered fire regimes in desert ecosystems.
• Ranchers struggle to control cheatgrass because it germinates earlier than native grasses.
• Cheatgrass dries out quickly in summer, creating a tinderbox for wildfires.
• Native plant restoration projects often focus on removing cheatgrass to restore sagebrush habitat.