Large crabgrass – Digitaria sanguinalis

The image is of a young, large crabgrass plant growing in soil.

Large crabgrass – Digitaria sanguinalis

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.

Poaceae (Grass family)

MI Status

Non-native

Life cycle

Prostrate to ascending summer annual.

Leaves

Both leaf surfaces and the 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.

Ligule

Jagged, membranous ligule.

Stems

Prostrate to ascending stems may reach 3 feet tall, capable of rooting at the nodes. Mature stems are often compressed in cross-section.

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.

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.

The photo is of a large crabgrass seedling with green leaves. — Large crabgrass seedling

The photo is of a large crabgrass ligule that is jagged and membranous. — Large crabgrass ligule

The photo is of a large crabgrass seedhead that is a terminal panicle. It consists of a few to several slender, fingerlike branches arranged in a whorl. — Large crabgrass seedhead

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