Barnyardgrass
Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Updated February 2018.
Scientific name: Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.
Common name(s): barnyardgrass, common barnyard grass, barnyard millet
Link(s): USDA PLANTS Profile, Go Botany
Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”)
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- plant will “tiller” i.e. grow horizontally and then shoot up vertically
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- early fruit, late July
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- stem detail
Description:
– annual
-has a coarse stalk
-grows along the ground before growing upwards
-can reach 0.8-1.5 m tall
-elongated flat, rough leaves
- 30-50 cm long
- 1-2 cm wide
- distinct veins
-blade sheaths closer to the ground are reddish
-branches are sessile and 5 cm long
-fibrous root system
– may be confused with E. frumentacea or E. muricata; see left sidebar of Go Botany webpage
Habitat:
-wet soils
-swamps
-marshes
-disturbed areas
-warm climates
Management:
–Mature plants show little sensitivity to herbicides applications
-using herbicides pre-emergence or right after shows the best results
Acknowledgement(s):
Cao, L., L. Berent, and A. Fusaro, 2021, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2664, Revision Date: 4/4/2019, Peer Review Date: 4/4/2019, Access Date: 1/20/2021
Eric T. Doucette, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Biology, MA College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA (updated Feb 2018)