NC State Extension Publications

Description

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Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is a very troublesome grassy weed in athletic fields, golf greens, tees and fairways, and in other turfgrasses that are mowed short. It germinates when soil temperatures reach 60 to 65°F, and requires moisture and light for germination. Goosegrass has a prostrate growth habit, and is often white in the center with a wagon-wheel like appearance. Unlike crabgrass, it does not root at the nodes, but grows well in compacted soils. It competes very successfully with warm-season and cool-season turfgrasses during summer months and is most competitive in thin, open turfs and turfs subject to intense traffic or use.

Cultural Control

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Goosegrass is most competitive in thin, open turfs and turfs subject to intense traffic or use. Close mowing and frequent watering enhance goosegrass competition. It is a very troublesome weed in athletic fields, golf greens, tees and fairways and other turfgrasses that are mowed short. Goosegrass germinates when soil temperatures reach 60°F, which is usually at least two weeks later than crabgrass. It competes very successfully with warm-season and cool-season turfgrasses during summer months. A severe goosegrass infestation may indicate the need for aerification to alleviate compaction.

Species Data

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  • SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • VERNATION TYPE
    • folded
  • LIGULE TYPE
    • membranous; 0.02 - 0.04 inches (0.6 - 1 mm) long, collar-like, hairy on back, edges sometimes with short hairs
      Figure 8, Figure 9
  • GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
    • summer annual weed
  • AURICLE TYPE
    • absent
  • LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • LEAF BLADE WIDTH
    • 0.2 - 0.4 inches (5 - 10 mm) wide
  • STOLON PRESENCE
    • absent
  • RHIZOME PRESENCE
    • absent
  • COLLAR TYPE
  • SHEATH MARGIN
  • SHEATH TYPE
    • flattened
Goosegrassseedhead

Figure 1. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass seedhead

Figure 2. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass seedhead

Figure 3. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass seedhead

Figure 4. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass seedhead

Figure 5. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass seedhead

Figure 6. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass seedhead

Figure 7. Goosegrass seedhead.

Goosegrass ligule

Figure 8. Goosegrass ligule.

Goosegrass ligule

Figure 9. Goosegrass ligule.

Goosegrass leaf blade tip shape

Figure 10. Goosegrass leaf blade tip shape.

Goosegrass leaf blade tip shape

Figure 11. Goosegrass leaf blade tip shape.

Goosegrass leaf blade tip shape

Figure 12. Goosegrass leaf blade tip shape.

Goosegrass collar

Figure 13. Goosegrass collar.

Goosegrass collar

Figure 14. Goosegrass collar.

Goosegrass collar

Figure 15. Goosegrass collar.

Goosegrass sheath margin

Figure 16. Goosegrass sheath margin.

Goosegrass sheath margin

Figure 17. Goosegrass sheath margin.

Goosegrass sheath margin

Figure 18. Goosegrass sheath margin.

Author

Extension Specialist (Turfgrass/Forage Crop Weed Mgt)
Crop & Soil Sciences

Find more information at the following NC State Extension websites:

Publication date: Nov. 8, 2017

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