Barnyard Grass
Echinochloa crus-galli · Warm-season, annual, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Wetland/Riparian Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (no specific named cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11, highly adaptable globally, summer annual that dies with the first hard frost
About This Grass
An aggressive summer annual grass with coarse, flat blades, growing up to 2-4 feet tall if left unmowed. Light green to dark green color, often with purple-tinged sheaths. Forms dense clumps in disturbed moist soils.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades wider than 4mm, flat, smooth to slightly rough, pointed tips, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent central midrib, ligule is completely absent, auricles are absent
Root System
Fibrous, shallow to moderately deep root system, fast establishment from seed, excellent at colonizing bare soil quickly
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and temperate Asia and Europe, now globally naturalized
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) annual, upright to sprawling, without rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, high water requirements, thrives in moist to wet soils, poor drought tolerance, prefers wet or irrigated soils and tolerates occasional flooding
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance weed in turfgrass; frequent close mowing will weaken and eventually eliminate it; requires selective herbicides or manual removal in lawns
Special Characteristics
Low wear tolerance, poor disease resistance in turf settings, high seed production, acts as a severe weed in lawns and agricultural crops
Ecological Information
Introduced weed in many regions, provides food for waterfowl and upland birds via seeds, helps stabilize wet disturbed soils, can become invasive in agricultural fields and wetlands