Sign Up for Updates
Integrated Crop Management
Integrated Crop Management
Sign Up for Updates

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 are coarser than those of crabgrass.

Key ID traits: Membranous ligule; flat stems. Tillers radiate outward parallel to the soil surface. Leaf sheaths at the 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 the light color of the crown area. Goosegrass is a bigger problem in the southern U.S. than in 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 serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
Last Reviewed:

Topics:

Tags: