Identifying Grass Weeds

Stem/culm Node Leaf

Sheath Collar Blade Midrib

Vernation

Vernation is a term used to describe how the youngest grass leaves are arranged in the shoot

Folded vernation Leaves that are folded in the shoot and appear V-

shaped in shoots that are cut in half across the width (cross-sectioned)

Rolled vernation Leaves are circular or “rolled" in the shoot and do

not have folds Determining vernation:

Roll test Cross-section

Ligules and Auricles

Ligules are membranous or hairy tissues located at the junction of the leaf blade and leaf sheath Ligules can be membranous, a fringe of hairs, or absent

Auricles are slender extensions of the collar and are located at the junction of the leaf blade and leaf sheath Auricles can be long and clasp around the stem or shoot, small or

rudimentary, or absent

Growth habit and inflorescence (seed head)

Panicle Spike Raceme

Rhizomatous Bunch Stoloniferous

Green foxtail Scientific name: Setaria viridis Family: Poaceae Life cycle: Annual Where found: Cropland Physical description:

Seed: 1-2 mm, pale lemma covering seed Seedling blade: broad and arched Leaf blades mostly hairless Vernation: round Ligule: hairy Inflorescence: compact panicle Fibrous root system

Interesting facts: Latin name describes inflorescence

Seta=bristle, viridis=green Also called green bristlegrass

Jointed goatgrass Scientific name: Aegilops cyclindra Family: Poaceae Life cycle: Annual Where found: Cropland Physical description:

Seed: attaches firmly to lemma and palea at each joint Seedling blade: first blade tall, narrow and vertical Leaf blades with long hairs on margins of blade and

collar Vernation: round Ligule: membranous with toothed margin Inflorescence: columnar spikelet with distinctive joints Fibrous root system

Interesting facts: May behave as a winter annual in some areas Known to hybridize with wheat