Stinkgrass

Eragrostis cilianensis

Weed Description
A summer annual grass weed that emits a distinctive odor. Stinkgrass is a common grass weed of many agronomic crops, pastures, hayfields, and noncrop areas.

Seedlings
Seedlings develop into tufted plants relatively quickly. Leaves are without auricles and have ligules that are less than 1 mm long and a fringe of hairs.

Leaves
Leaves are rolled in the bud and are approximately 5 to 10 mm wide. Leaves are smooth and glossy below while upper leaf surfaces are rough and may have hairs along the margins. Auricles are absent and the ligule is a fringe of hairs that is usually less than 1 mm long.

Stems
Sheaths are round to slightly flattened, without hairs except occasionally where the leaf joins to the sheath.

Flowers
Seedhead a triangular panicle that has a grayish green cast. Panicles may reach 8 inches in length and consist of spikelets that are approximately 3/4 inch long. Individual spikelets are gray to silver in color.

Roots
A fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
Annual grass that emits an unpleasant odor and has ligules that are less than 1 mm long and are a fringe of hairs. The distinctive grayish-green panicle also helps to distinguish this weed from other similar grasses.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Stinkgrass

Eragrostis cilianensis

Trouble identifying a weed?