Large Crabgrass
Digitaria sanguinalis · Warm-season, Annual, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (No specific cultivars)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10; warm-season annual that germinates in spring when soil temperatures reach 55-60 degrees F and dies with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
An aggressive, coarse-textured annual grass with light green to yellowish-green foliage. Stems branch and spread horizontally, rooting at the nodes. Can reach heights of 1-2 feet if left unmowed. Produces branching finger-like racemes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to coarse in width (4-10 mm), flat, soft, with pointed tips, light green color, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent midvein, and a membranous ligule with no auricles.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system with adventitious roots developing from nodes touching the ground. Fast establishment from seed, low thatch tendency, very poor wear tolerance compared to established turf.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and temperate Asia; now distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and spreading; roots at the lower nodes, forming a loose, sprawling mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (intolerant of dense shade). Moderate to high water needs for active growth, but exhibits moderate drought dormancy. Thrives in compacted, poor, or warm soils with a wide pH tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 1.5-2.5 inches to prevent seed head formation. High maintenance as a weed requiring pre-emergent herbicides, hand-pulling, or dense turf competition to control.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional ability to invade thin lawns, tolerate compacted soils, and produce thousands of seeds per plant. Poor wear and traffic tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced weed species globally. Provides minimal forage or seed value for small birds, but generally considered a nuisance in managed turf and agricultural settings.