Annual Grasses
- Little barley (Hordeum pusillum)
Growing habits: Erect, tufted annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Can be glabrous or pubescent and often scabrous, auricles present, sheaths also pubescent or blabrous, membranous ligule
Reproduction: Narrow, dense terminal inflorescence densely covered with awns
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)
Growing habits: Tufted erect summer annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Blades glabrous but rough on both surfaces, sheaths glabrous, ligules absent
Reproduction: Terminal inflorescences, nodding panicle, long with many spreading branches, rebranched, may be awned or awnless
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)
Growing habits: Erect or bending cool season annual, often rooting at lower nodes
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Glabrous on both surfaces, flat, soft, sheaths also glabrous, membranous ligule
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescences, open, pyramidal, spikelets 3-6 flowered
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus)
Growing habits: Erect annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Pubescent on both surfaces, sheaths pubescent, membranous ligule
Reproduction: Open panicle inflorescence, lower branches drooping at maturity, spikelets green at maturity
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFeliceJapanese brome
- Soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus)
Growing habits: Cool-season annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Soft, flat or folded, glabrous or sparsely hairy, lower sheaths densely covered with soft spreading trichomes, prominent membranous ligule
Reproduction: Contracted, densely flowered panicle or raceme, awned seeds
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis)
Growing habits: Summer annual, prostrate / spreading growth
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Blades and sheaths usually very pubescent, membranous ligule
Reproduction: 4-6 branches
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum)
Growing habits: Tufted summer annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Glabrous, closed sheath, red tinged collar, membranous ligule
Reproduction: 2-6 branches
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Crowfootgrass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium)
Growing habits: Annual grass that bends and roots at lower nodes
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves glabrous or with long stiff trichomes, leaf tips ascending, margins ciliate, sheaths glabrous, membranous ligule fringed with trichomes
Reproduction: Spike inflorescences with up to 7 at stem tip, rachis projecting as a point beyond spikelets, awned glumes
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Feather fingergrass (Chloris virgata)
Growing habits: Tufted annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Flat, rough on upper surface with sparse long trichomes; sheaths compressed, keeled, shorter than internodes; membranous ligule
Reproduction: 7-16 spike inflorescences at apex of stem, erect to spreading, pale green or tawny in color, feathery in appearance; spikelets arranged in 2 rows along one side, each having a perfect flower and several sterile ones
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Carolina foxtail (Alopecurus carolinianus)
Growing habits: Tufted, erect or ascending winter annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Upper and lower leaf surfaces scabrous, sheaths smooth & slightly inflated, membranous ligule
Reproduction: Erect cylindrical panicle inflorescences, single-flowered spikelets
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFeliceCarolina foxtail
- Giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)
Growing habits: Erect tufted summer annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous tan roots
Leaf anatomy: Linear, pubescent on top, sheaths hairy on margins, membranous ligule fringed with trichomes
Reproduction: Conspicuous nodding panicle
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Green foxtail (Setaria viridis)
Growing habits: Erect tufted summer annual, branched at base
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves glabrous but can be scabrous, closed sheath w/pubescent margin near mouth; short membranous ligule fringed with trichomes
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescence w/ up to 3 bristles per spikelet
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila)
Growing habits: Erect tufted summer annual branching from the base
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves glabrous, sheaths closed and glabrous except for trichomes at mouth & along margin, membranous ligule fringed with trichomes
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescence, yellowish when mature, cylindrical, 5+ bristles per spikelet
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Goosegrass (Eleusine indica)
Growing habits: Tufted, warm-season annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves usually glabrous but may be pubescent, sheaths compressed, margin and mouth pubescent, ligule a fringed uneven membrane, stems white near base
Reproduction: Fingerlike spike inflorescences, between 1 to 13, often 1 spike below terminal clusters
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Jungle rice (Echinochloa colona)
Growing habits: Decumbent to erect tufted summer annual with several to many stems from base
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves glabrous or sparsely pubescent on upper surface, sheaths glabrous, ligule absent, sometimes have purple bands
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescence, spikelets subsessile
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Foxtail millet (Setaria italica)
Growing habits: Erect tufted stout summer annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Can be glabrous or scabrous; sheaths closed, pubescent margin near mouth; trichome fringe ligule w/membranous base
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescence, often nodding, cylindrical or tapering to tip, bristles scabrous and pointing upward, can be yellow, green or purple, 3 or fewer long bristles per spikelet
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum)
Growing habits: Decumbent to erec summer annual, bends and brances at nodes
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Upper surface may be pubescent, sheath compressed and glabrous, membranous ligule fringed with trichomes
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescence with many open flexible branches
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Texas panicum (Urochloa texana)
Growing habits: Decumbent or creeping coarse tufted summer annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves have softly pubescent on upper and lower leaf surfaces with short fine trichomes, sheaths pubescent with short or long trichomes but can also be nearly glabrous, short membranous ligule with dense trichome fringe
Reproduction: Simple panicle inflorescence with short/erect/appressed or slightly spreading branches, spikelets w/one fertile floret
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Rescuegrass (Bromus catharticus)
Growing habits: Tufted, erect winter annual or biennial
Root anatomy: Fibrous rots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves may be pubescent on upper side, sheaths closed and may be pubescent on lower leaves, membranous ligules with frayed margin, lanceolate to erose in shape
Reproduction: Open, drooping panicle, branches paired, pedicelled, spikelets compressed laterally
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
Growing habits: Tufted winter annual, but can be biennial or even perennial
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Glabrous leaves, open sheaths with prominent auricles, membranous ligule with frayed margin
Reproduction: Slender spike inflorescence, up to 40 spikelets with 20 flowered
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFeliceAnnual ryegrass
- Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
Growing habits: Erect, single to tufted, slender to robust annual w/prop roots
Root anatomy: Fibrous with adventitious prop roots
Leaf anatomy: Flat, can be glabrous or pubescent; sheaths also glabrous or pubescent; membranous ligule fringed with trichomes
Reproduction: Open panicle inflorescence, branches slightly ascending to somewhat pendulous; 2-flowered pubescent spikelets
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Broadleaf signalgrass (Urochloa platyphylla)
Growing habits: Decumbent spreading branched summer annual which bends & roots at nodes
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Lower leaves generally pubescent but upper eaves glabrous, sheaths have pubescent margins
Reproduction: Raceme inflorescence with 2-6 branches, single-flowered spikelets, ovate, flattened toward summit
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFeliceBroadleaf signalgrass
- Bearded sprangletop (Leptochloa fusca)
Growing habits: Erect or spreading tufted annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Scabrous on both surfaces, often tightly rolled when dry; sheaths scabrous; membranous ligule
Reproduction: Panicle inflorescence
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice - Witchgrass (Panicum capillare)
Growing habits: Tufted, erect, or decumbent freely branching annual
Root anatomy: Fibrous roots
Leaf anatomy: Leaves flat and wide, pubescent on both surfaces, folded in bud, sheaths papillose-hispid with spreading trichomes, membranous ligule with short stiff trichomes that is connate
Reproduction: Large open spreading panicle inflorescence with widely spaced glabrous spikelets
References: Weeds of the South by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. DeFelice
