Crabgrass
Digitaria sanguinalis · Warm-season annual; C4 photosynthesis pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae (Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Large Crabgrass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-11; dies off after the first hard frost in autumn, leaving behind thousands of seeds for the following spring.
About This Grass
A low-growing, spreading summer annual weed. It features pale green to reddish-purple stems that branch and lean. In late summer, it produces finger-like seed heads (spikes) that radiate from the top of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blades (often 5-10mm wide); light green to yellowish-green; tapered to a point. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is membranous, tall, and jagged; auricles are absent. Long, stiff hairs are often found on the leaf sheath and blade surface.
Root System
Fibrous and shallow but very aggressive. Prostrate stems root easily at the nodes (stoloniferous behavior), making it difficult to pull and allowing it to form dense patches.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; highly invasive and naturalized across North America and temperate climates globally.
Growth Habit
Prostrate and spreading; Primarily bunch-type but roots at nodes (stolons) where they touch the soil, creating a thick mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (requires high light for germination); high drought tolerance once established. Thrives in compacted, poor, or dry soils but grows vigorously with moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Very low maintenance (invasive); easily survives low mowing heights (under 1 inch) by maturing seed heads horizontally. Not typically cultivated or fertilized purposely in lawns.
Special Characteristics
Extreme wear tolerance and high heat tolerance. Notorious for crowding out desirable turf grasses. Prolific seed production (up to 150,000 seeds per plant).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in turf settings. Provides some food for birds and small mammals via seeds, but generally detrimental to biodiversity in managed landscapes as it outcompetes native flora.