Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.

Indian Goose Grass; Yard Grass

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Indian Goose Grass is an introduced warm season bunch grass in the grass family (Poaceae). It is native to Africa and temperate and tropical Asia. In Alabama it can be found state wide. Indian Goose Grass occurs primarily in disturbed habitats such as in cultivated fields, on roadsides, in gardens and flower beds, in lawns and pastures, along railroads, and in urban areas. It is a tufted annual with an extensive fibrous root system. The stems are erect to spreading, 1-2 feet in height, and not rooting at the lower nodes. The stems are green in color, flattened at the base, and mostly hidden by the leaf sheaths. The leaves are primarily basal, alternate, linear in outline, glabrous, with scaberulous margins. The leaves tend to be keeled (V-shaped). The inflorescence is a terminal digitate arrangement of 3-8 spikes. The rachis is narrow, flat, and glabrous with the glabrous spikelets in 2 dense rows along one side. The seed is a reddish-brown to black grain. Indian Goose Grass is a serious weed in row crops. It is considered a noxious weed or invasive species in over 42 countries. The seed of Indian Goose Grass and are sometimes consumed, especially during famine.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FACU (NWPL)

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