Large crabgrass
June 12, 2015
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EmailDigitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. Poaceae (Grass family)
Life cycle
Prostrate to ascending summer annual.
Leaves
Both leaf surfaces and sheath are densely hairy. Leaves are rolled in the bud and more numerous at the base. Leaves are generally shorter, wider and more tapered than those of most other grasses.
Large crabgrass seedling.
Ligule
Jagged, membranous ligule.
Stems
Prostrate to ascending stems up to 3 feet tall are capable of rooting at the nodes. Mature stems are often compressed in cross-section.
Large crabgrass collar region.
Flowers and fruit
The seedhead is a terminal panicle that consists of a few to several slender, fingerlike branches arranged in a whorl. Each plant is capable of producing thousands of yellowish brown, narrow oval to lance-shaped seeds.
Large crabgrass seedhead.
Reproduction
Seeds.
Similar weeds
Smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum [Schreb.] Schreb. ex Muhl.)
Differs by having a smaller stature, hairless to sparsely hairy leaves and sheath, a tuft of long hairs at the collar region and stems that do not root at the nodes.
Smooth crabgrass collar region (left), and plant (right).
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