Origin:
Introduced from the Old World Tropics of Asia or Africa, and now found throughout much of the U.S., particularly in the southern states, and south throughout Latin America, in Europe, Australia, and Hawaii.
Biology:
A summer annual grass that reproduces from seeds. May invade thin areas of turf or adjacent landscape soils.
Identification:
Plants grow laterally and become mat-forming, with rooting at the nodes where stems touch the soil. Stems are thick and strong and roots are a strong, fibrous mass, making hand removal difficult. Leaf blades are broad and very short, and at the base of the blade there are rows of hairs extending outward. The flower head is umbrella like and composed of very wide spikelets, numbering from 3 to 5, radiating out sideways to give it the “crowfoot” appearance. Individual flowers are arranged in 2 rows, on opposite sides of the spikelet. Short but stiff awns are present on each flower.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
An annual reproducing by seed, and most common in distressed turf areas or low maintenance sites of landscape.
