Barnyardgrass stem

Barnyardgrass - Echinochloa crus-galli

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.

Poaceae (Grass family)

MI Status

Non-native

Life cycle

Erect summer annual.

Leaves

Hairless leaves, occasionally with a few hairs near the base, are rolled in the bud and up to 20 inches long. Leaves have a distinct midvein and are rough to the touch on both surfaces.

Ligule

Absent.

Stems

Erect, thick, hairless, up to 5-foot-tall stems are round to flattened in cross-section and are often bent, branched and purple-tinted at the base.

Flowers and fruit

The seedhead consists of several coarse, thick branches that occur in an upright to nodding terminal panicle. The green, purple to brown panicle yields tan to brown, shiny, oval seeds.

Reproduction

Seeds.

Barnyardgrass Ligule
Barnyardgrass – Echinochloa crus-galli Ligule
Barnyardgrass Seedhead
Barnyardgrass – Echinochloa crus-galli Ligule Seedhead

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  • grass,
  • msu plant & pest diagnostics,
  • summer annual

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