Goosegrass

Eleusine indica

Weed Description
Each spikelet contains 3-6 light brown to black seeds that are 1-2 mm long.

Seedlings
First leaf 3-5 times longer than wide, and opens parallel to the ground. Leaf sheaths are flattened, smooth, and even on seedlings often are distinctly white to silver at the base.

Leaves
Leaf blades are 2-14 inches long, 3-8 mm wide, without hairs or only sparsely hairy, and folded along the midvein. The ligule is 1-2 mm long, fringed, uneven, and membranous. Sheaths are flattened, whitish at the base, and sparsely hairy in the collar region.

Flowers
Seedheads composed of 2-13 spikes each 1 1/2 to 6 inches long, 3-7 mm wide, in clusters at the top of stems. Two rows of flattened spikelets occur along each spike.

Roots
Fibrous.

Identifying Characteristics
Flattened stems with a distinctive white or silver center. Plants often appear compressed to the soil, as if they have been repeatedly stepped on. This weed may be confused with Smooth Crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), but the leaves of smooth crabgrass are rolled in the bud, while those of goosegrass are folded in the bud. Additionally, the distinctive white center of goosegrass distinguishes it from most other grass weeds.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Goosegrass

Eleusine indica