Weeds in the Lawn – Overview and Identification Characteristics

Weedy grasses are significantly harder to remove from a lawn than traditional weeds. Botanically, they also belong to the grass family, but they differ from desirable lawn grasses in terms of growth habit, color, and behavior. Below is an overview of the most common weedy grasses and their typical characteristics.

Millet
Often occurs when there is a cornfield or vineyard nearby. It has broad leaves and tends to grow close to the ground. It is heavily seeded, and the seeds should not fall off during control efforts.

Annual Bluegrass Annual bluegrass
Easily recognizable by its white flowers; one of the most unwelcome annual grasses on golf courses. Attention: Purple flowers indicate that it is Poa pratensis, which is desirable in a lawn.

(Common) Couch Grass Elymus repens
Long, creeping brown or white roots. The nearly indestructible leaves are stiff. Not very dense.

Common Panicle Poa trivialis
It can be identified by its broader grasses. Common panicum appears as early as spring. The leaves are light green. The stem has a reddish tint.

White Ostrich Grass Agrostis stolonifera
Very fluffy, very resistant to trampling, and low shear strength. Appears as patches on the lawn.

Bermuda grass
Bermuda grass is a so-called warm-season grass and thrives especially well in areas such as the southern United States. Here in Europe, the grass enters a sort of resting state in winter, known as dormancy. During this time, the grass doesn’t look very nice—it turns almost completely brown, and growth largely stops.