Large Crabgrass — Digitaria sanguinalis — Family: Poaceae — Grass
Large crabgrass is a common invader of manicured turf. Large crabgrass has hairs on all surfaces. It can be identified by its light green appearance and swollen, zig-zag nodes. Crabgrass is a summer annual that re-establishes from seed every spring. Crabgrass can be an indication of elevated soil temperatures and will often establish in last year's grub damaged areas.
Oter weeds in the Grass (Poaceae) family:
- Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua)
- Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
- Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
- Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi)
- Goosegrass (Elusine indica)
- Green Foxtail (Setaria viridis)
- Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi)
- Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata)
- Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens)
- Smooth Crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum)
- Tall Fescue (Festuca arudinacea)
- Yellow Foxtail (Setaria glauca)
Large crabgrass is a common invader of manicured turf. Large crabgrass has hairs on all surfaces. It can be identified by its light green appearance and swollen, zig-zag nodes. Crabgrass is a summer annual that re-establishes from seed every spring. Crabgrass can be an indication of elevated soil temperatures and will often establish in last year's grub damaged areas.
Also Known As...
- hairy crabgrass
- leaves rolled in the bud
- ligule membranous, tall, with jagged edges
- collar broad, prominent, with long hairs at the edges
- auricles absent
- sheaths compressed, hairy
- blades flat, sparsely hairy, 1/4 inch wide, sharp pointed
Large and smooth crabgrass can be distinguished by the presence (large) or absence (smooth) of hair on the upper and lower leaf surfaces and the stems.
Links:
- Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi)
- Green Foxtail (Setaria viridis)
- Smooth Crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum)
- Tall Fescue (Festuca arudinacea)
- Yellow Foxtail (Setaria glauca)
Elevated mowing heights and judicious nitrogen fertilization can be extremely effective at reducing competition from crabgrass. Research studies have shown up to 95% reduction in crabgrass when mowing height is increased from 1.5 to 3.0 inches. Thin turf in the spring or drought conditions often lead to major infestations of crabgrass.
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