The leaves are similar to tame oats. The panicle may contain up to 250 seeds, ranging from black, brown, grey, yellow, to white. The seeds are hairy at the base and awned with a circular scar at the point of seed attachment. They can remain dormant in the soil for 7 to 8 years but most seeds germinate within 2 years. Warm, dry, fall conditions promote the loss of seed dormancy but dormancy can be induced again the following spring under wet soil conditions and low temperatures.
Wild oats prefer cool weather and moist soil.
Scouting Techniques Take a minimum of 20 weed counts across the field. Wheat and barley possess auricles, while wild oats do not. Although this weed is usually randomly spread across a field, carefully check any low spots in the field for patches of wild oats, as wild oat prefers moist soils. Be aware that herbicide resistance is a serious problem with wild oats, and make note of suspicious looking weed patches that may be resistant. The best time to scout for patches is after the wild oats have headed out and are visible above the crop.