Not a grass (identified as Perilla mint / Beefsteak plant)
Perilla frutescens · Broadleaf annual weed / Herb (Not a grass)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Plant
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-10 as an annual
Grass Family
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
About This Grass
This specimen is not a grass, but rather a broadleaf herb from the Lamiaceae family. It features opposite, broadly ovate leaves with serrated margins, distinctive square stems, and terminal racemes of small flowers.
Blade Characteristics
Not applicable; has broad leaves with serrated margins and petioles, arranged oppositely along a square stem.
Root System
Taproot system with branching lateral roots, typical of broadleaf annual herbs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
East Asia (China, India, Japan)
Growth Habit
Erect annual herb with square stems
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in partial shade to full sun with moderate moisture needs.
Mowing & Maintenance
Controlled by hand-pulling, hoeing, or broadleaf herbicides; resists standard turf mowing if established.
Special Characteristics
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants; strongly aromatic foliage.
Ecological Information
Considered an invasive weed in many parts of North America; toxic to livestock when ingested in large quantities.