Poaceae

Echinochloa crus-galli

Common Names: Barnyard grass

Plant Form: Variable annual grass. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Clumped, growing from nodes. Leaves: Deep green, flat, no ligule (joint structure), tapering and slightly hairy near stem, with prominent midrib. Flowers: Up to 15 spikelets in lance shaped heads, not in obvious rows. Green and tinged with reddish purple. Fruit and Seeds: Pale brown when ripe. Habitat: Disturbed areas, riverbanks, wetlands. Distinguishing Features: Spikelets not in obvious rows, wider leaves, and presence of awns on seed differ from Awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona). Impacts: Outcompetes native and pasture grasses, allelopathic when young.

Close up of seed

Seed heads and leaves

Often in wet areas

Leaves can be broad