Barnyardgrass

August 21, 2015

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.

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 flatten in cross-section and are often bent, branched and purple-tinted at the base.

barnyardgrass ligule
Barnyardgrass collar region.

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.

barnyardgrass seedhead
Barnyardgrass seedhead. 

Reproduction

Seeds. 

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