Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > Is this plant a weed? > Grass > Smooth Crabgrass
Smooth Crabgrass
Digitaria ischaemum Schreb. ex Muhl
- - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -
Found in:
- Lawns and landscape beds
Characteristics:
- Annual grass that grows best during warm weather (summer)
- Low growing and spreading
- Leaf blade is flat with prominent midrib; hairless on upper and lower surfaces
- Older sheaths and leaves can become dark reddish to maroon in color
- Flower head consists of 2-10 finger-like spikelets
- Spikelets are dark purple at maturity
- Roots are fibrous; no underground stems (rhizomes) produced
Significance
- Maintain minimum 2 1/2 - 3” mowing height and good turfgrass density
