Crabgrass

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Mature crabgrass
Young crabgrass
Both smooth and large crabgrass ligule have a membranous ligule
Crabgrass inflorescence is a series of spikes with 1 floret per spikelet
Crabgrass inflorescence
Smooth crabgrass lacks hairs along the sheath


  • Scientific Name: Digitaria ischaemum (Schr.) Muhl.


  • Common Names: Crabgraass, Smooth crabgrass (English), Digitaire filiforme (French), Faden-Fingerhirse (German), Garrachuelo pequeno, Palusznik nitkowaty, Sanguinella glabra (Italian), Smooth Fingergrass, Smooth Summergrass, Zhi xue ma tang (Chinese)



  • Geographic Distribution: North America, Africa, Europe, East Asia, Australia, South America



  • Photosynthetic Apparatus: C4


  • Major Identifying Characteristic: Rolled vernation. Tall rounded membranous ligule. Distinct inflorescence with 2-6 spikes, 1 floret per spikelet


Control Strategies

  • Cultural Control: Raise mowing height and avoid operations that expose bare soil (coring, verticutting, establishing turf from seed) during times when crabgrass germination is favored. Crabgrass is generally killed by the first frost (where applicable).


  • Chemical Control: Apply a preemergence herbicide in spring when soil temperature reaches 55 F (14 C). Alternatively, postemergence herbicides work best on either young (1-4 leaf) or old (post seedhead) plants.
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