Goosegrass (also known as Silver Crabgrass or Wiregrass)
Eleusine indica · Warm-season, Annual, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Chloridoideae, Tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Not applicable (wild/weed species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-11 (as an annual); seeds germinate when soil temperatures reach 60-65°F. Dies with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, prostrate annual weed with a very tough, fibrous center. It forms a dense, flattened rosette that is difficult to pull or mow. The color is typically dark green with a distinct silvery-white or pale green center at the base of the stems.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-to-coarse (3-8mm wide), flat or folded, with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded. The ligule is membranous and short with a split in the middle; auricles are absent. The leaf sheaths are distinctively flattened and white to silver near the soil line.
Root System
Deep, extremely tough, and fibrous root system. It is highly resistant to being pulled by hand. It does not form a sod but effectively anchors in compacted soil where other grasses fail.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Asia; widely naturalized in tropical and temperate regions worldwide, especially in compacted soils.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); develops a prostrate, radial "starburst" pattern. It does not produce rhizomes or stolons.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; high drought tolerance once established. Thrives in dry, compacted soils but can tolerate frequent watering in turf settings. Prefers pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Extremely low mowing tolerance (can survive being mowed at 0.5 inches). In lawns, it should be manually removed or treated with pre/post-emergent herbicides. It thrives where regular turf is scalped or thin.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and ability to grow in heavily compacted areas like paths and athletic field goal mouths. Highly resistant to many common herbicides and physical treading.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in most regions. Primarily a weed of disturbed sites and managed turf. Provides very little wildlife value and competes aggressively with desired turfgrasses like Bermuda or Fescue.