Green Foxtail and Large Crabgrass Mixture
Setaria viridis and Digitaria sanguinalis · Warm-season, Annual, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type / Common weed biotype
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10, completes its entire life cycle in a single growing season, dying off with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
An untamed mixture of annual grassy weeds, characterized by dense, tangled growth, coarse texture, and prominent cylindrical, bristly seed heads characteristic of foxtail alongside spreading digitate seed heads of crabgrass.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, width typically 4-8mm, flat shape, pointed tips, light to medium green color, rolled vernation, prominent midvein, membranous to hairy ligules, and absence of auricles.
Root System
Fibrous root system of moderate depth, rapid establishment speed, high seed production, moderate drought tolerance once established, does not form a desirable turf sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eurasia and the Mediterranean region; now widespread globally in temperate and tropical regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type and sprawling/prostrate with some rooting at lower nodes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, moderate to high water needs for rapid growth, moderate drought tolerance by going to seed quickly, adaptable to various soils with preferred pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance if trying to eradicate; frequent low mowing can prevent seed head formation, but manual pulling or selective herbicides are usually required. High weed status.
Special Characteristics
Low traffic tolerance for turf use, highly invasive in disturbed soils and thin lawns, excellent seed production ensuring persistence, zero winter color retention as it is an annual.
Ecological Information
Introduced weed species in North America, provides minor food source for ground-feeding birds and small mammals through seeds, aggressive competitor in disturbed landscapes and agricultural fields.