Large Crabgrass
Digitaria sanguinalis · Warm-season, Annual, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Lawn/Turf Pest
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (no cultivated varieties, commonly treated as a weed)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10, thrives in warm summer climates across the United States and globally.
About This Grass
An annual grassy weed with a sprawling, crab-like growth habit radiating outward from a central crown. Light to medium green color, coarse texture, capable of growing up to 1-2 feet tall if left unmowed, producing characteristic finger-like raceme seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (4-10mm wide), flat, pointed tips, light to yellowish green, rolled in the bud (vernation), sparsely hairy surfaces, membranous ligule, no auricles, broad collar region.
Root System
Fibrous and shallow root system with stolons that root at the nodes when in contact with moist soil. Rapid establishment from seed in spring, poor drought tolerance without summer water, goes dormant/dies with frost.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and temperate Asia; now naturalized worldwide in temperate and tropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and prostrate, rooting at the lower nodes, spreading radially to form expansive mats
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required, highly intolerant of dense shade. Moderate to high water needs for rapid growth. Moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy or surviving as seeds.
Mowing & Maintenance
Resilient to low mowing by growing horizontally below the mower blade height. High maintenance required to eradicate; controlled via pre-emergent herbicides in early spring and post-emergent herbicides.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional ability to outcompete weakened turf in thin lawns. Excellent tolerance to compacted soils and low mowing heights. Dies off with the first hard autumn frost, leaving bare patches.
Ecological Information
Introduced weed species in North America. Provides minimal forage for wildlife, primarily considered a persistent agricultural and turf weed. Seeds are consumed by some ground-feeding birds.