Stonebreaker (Not a true grass, often found as a weed in turf)
Phyllanthus urinaria · Warm-season, annual broadleaf weed, C3 or C4 dependent on environment
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Broadleaf Weed)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Grass Family
Phyllanthaceae (not a grass)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
About This Grass
Herbaceous annual plant often mistaken for a fern or fine grass due to its pinnately compound leaves arranged alternately on branchlets, typically 10-60 cm tall with tiny flowers and fruits on the underside of the stems.
Blade Characteristics
Compound leaves with small, oblong-elliptic leaflets arranged in two rows, creating a frond-like appearance; leaf margins entire; distinct from true grass blades.
Root System
Wiry taproot system with moderate depth, establishing easily in disturbed soils.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Tropical Asia, naturalized globally in warm regions
Growth Habit
Upright, branching taproot annual
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; adapts well to moist or well-drained soils; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Resilient to frequent mowing by growing prostrate beneath mower blades; high maintenance required for removal.
Special Characteristics
High weed potential in turfgrass, lawns, and gardens; excellent seed production; resistant to standard selective grass herbicides.
Ecological Information
Introduced weed in many regions; provides minimal forage value but serves as a host for certain insects; can become invasive in agricultural fields and turf settings.