Yaohui Lui, Eric DeBoer

Description

Crowfootgrass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium), also known as Egyptian grass, is a yellow-green, summer annual grass native to Africa and Asia. It is easily distinguished by its unique seed head of as few as two, or more commonly five or more, spikelets radiating outward from a central point at the tip of the stem, resembling a crow's foot (Images 1 and 2). The species germinates from late March through July depending on the location and flowers throughout summer. It propagates by seed, roots at the nodes and is commonly found in areas with thinning turf, especially in heavy or poorly drained soils.

Image 1. Crowfootgrass seed head. Photo by Eric DeBoer

Image 2. Dense patch of crowfootgrass seed heads. Photo by Eric DeBoer

Identification

Crowfootgrass is a grassy weed that bends and roots at lower nodes (Image 3). The leaf blades are pointed with long stiff trichomes and hairy margins (Image 4). The seed head is a key identifying feature, consisting of two to five spikelets radiating outward from the tip of the stem. Crowfootgrass seed heads may be confused with the seed heads of goosegrass (Eleusine indica) (Image 5). For more information on crowfootgrass identification and characterization, please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database.

Image 3. Crowfootgrass rooting at the nodes. Photo by Eric DeBoer

Image 4. Hairy leaf margins of crowfootgrass. Photo by Eric DeBoer

Image 5. Goosegrass seed head, left, and crowfootgrass seed head, right. Crowfootgrass seed heads appear more three dimensional, compared to goosegrass seed heads which appear flat. Photos by Eric DeBoer

Cultural control practices

The best way to prevent or reduce weed encroachment is to maintain a healthy lawn through proper fertilization, soil pH management and regular mowing. Properly maintaining a lawn through these cultural practices promotes dense and vigorous turfgrass, allowing it to better compete with weeds. Below are the recommended mowing heights and nitrogen fertility rates recommended for each turfgrass species. In addition to these lawn care practices, manual removal of weeds may also be necessary.

Turfgrass mowing height and fertilization rates

Chemical control practices

In addition to cultural practices and manual removal of crowfootgrass by hand, herbicide applications may be required to achieve effective crowfootgrass control in larger areas. Preemergence herbicides will provide the best means of control, as mature crowfootgrass can be difficult to remove with postemergence herbicides. Multiple applications of postemergence herbicides will most likely be necessary for satisfactory suppression or control.

When applying any type of herbicide, you must follow the manufacturer’s labeled directions for specific instructions on proper use and turfgrass tolerance. For more information regarding pesticides for turfgrass, please reference the Louisiana Suggested Chemical Weed Control Guide.

Preemergence herbicides

Postemergence herbicides

Nonselective spot treatments

*Yes = Safe to apply at labeled rates; No = Turf injury will occur; Dormant = Apply to dormant turf only.

**Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide that will injure desirable turf species. Use for spot treating individual crowfootgrass plants, and do not make blanket applications across turf.

For information regarding weed identification and control options, please contact your local LSU AgCenter Extension office.

Sources

McCarty, L.B. (2001). Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds: Golf Courses, Lawns, Roadsides, Sports Fields, Recreational Areas, Commercial Sod, Cemeteries, Pastures. John Wiley and Sons.

Murphy, T.R., and Colvin, D.L. (1992). Weeds of Southern turfgrasses: Golf courses, lawns, roadsides, recreational areas, commercial sod. University of Florida, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

P3624-JJJJ
1/20/26
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