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Integrated Crop Management
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Goosegrass

Goosegrass                   Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.

Family:  Poaceae
Life cycle:   Annual
Native status: Introduced
Habitat:   Turf, waste areas.  Often found in compacted soils.

General description:  Prostrate growth habit in closely mown turf, in other areas can be upright. Leaves folded in bud resulting in flat stems.  Seedheads consist of 2-6 spikes with two rows of spikelets; individual spikes coarser than those of crabgrass.

Key ID traits:  Membranous ligule; flat stems.  Tillers radiate outward parallel to soil surface.  Leaf sheaths at crown are white to silver in color.

Similar species:  Growth habit and seedheads are similar to crabgrass, but flat stems and larger inflorescences of goosegrass simplify identification.

Miscellaneous:  Also called silver crabgrass due to light color of the crown area.  Goosegrass is a bigger problem in the southern U.S. than Iowa.

Goosegrass tillers
Goosegrass tillers radiate from, stems of tillers are flat due to folded leaves.
Goosegrass inflorescence branches
Like crabgrass, goosegrass inflorescences have finger-like branches, but the individual branches of goosegrass are much thicker.

 

Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.
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