Height: Stems and flowerheads to about 18 inches.
Stems: Stolons decumbent; stems upright.
Leaves: Alternate, linear; sheath open; ligule membranous or hairy; blade short (to about 3 inches), flat, and narrow.
Flowers: Inflorescence umbel-like; 4 to 7 branchlets. Two rows of tiny flowers along each branchlet, but growing only on one
side of the branchlet.
Habitat: Lawns, weedy fields, roadsides, orchards, disturbed sites. This warm-season grass requires water during the warm season.
Elevation: To about 3,000 feet.
Distribution: Most of the US and parts of Canada and Mexico; native to Africa.
Comments: This species is an invasive weed in natural areas and is listed as a Noxious Weed in California and Utah. This species can be confused with the native Saltgrass, but the flowerheads are quite different. |