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Integrated Crop Management
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Wirestem muhly

Wirestem muhly                   Muhlenbergia frondosa (Poir.) Fern

Family:  Poaceae

Life cycle:   Perennial, reproduces with rhizome and seed

Habitat:  Crop fields, disturbed areas, more prevalent in northeast Iowa

General description:  Prostrate growth habit, relatively short leaves (< 5 inches).  Sheaths and leaves are smooth.  The seedhead is a condensed panicle with very small seed, occurring in terminal end of stems and in leaf sheaths.  Wirestem muhly is usually found in dense patches due to spread by rhizomes.

Key ID traits:  Short, thick, scaly rhizomes.  Membranous ligule with jagged top.  Stems are prostrate, branched and wiry.

Similar species:  Nimblewill has a similar growth habit, but is smaller and lacks rhizomes.

Miscellaneous:  A warm-season grass, wirestem muhly emerges much later than quackgrass.  The widespread use of glyphosate has greatly reduced the occurrence of wirestem muhly in crop fields.

scaly rhizomes of wirestem muhly
Scaly rhizomes of wirestem muhly
sprawling growth habit with short, narrow leaves
Sprawling growth habit with short, narrow leaves
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.

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