Nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi J.F. Gmel.
Family: Poaceae
Life cycle: Perennial, spreads by stolons and seed
Native status: Native to N. America
Habitat: Turf, does well in moist, shaded areas.
General description: Prostrate, mat-forming growth habit. Leaves are less than 3" in length. Fine, slender, inconspicous seedheads
Key ID traits: Short (1 to 3 inches), narrow leaves; short, membranous ligule. Stoloniferous growth results in distinct patches within lawns.
Similar species: Wirestem muhly is a larger plant, produces rhizomes rather than stolons, and is not adapted to turf.
Miscellaneous: Nimblewill is a warm-season grass that ‘greens up’ much later in the spring than Kentucky bluegrass, and goes dormant earlier in the fall, resulting in brown patches in lawns.
Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in...