Crabgrass is a common, invasive weed that can be tricky to identify because it often resembles regular turfgrass. Here’s how to recognize it:
- Crabgrass grows in clumps low to the ground and spreads outward in a star-shaped or crab-leg pattern, rather than growing straight up like most grasses. The stems radiate from a central point, resembling the legs of a crab
- The blades are wider than most lawn grasses, typically about a quarter-inch wide, and are light green when young, becoming darker and duller as they mature
- The blades are flat and may have a slightly silvery mid-vein. As the plant matures, the stems get heavier, fall to the ground, and the plant forms a scraggly, star-shaped mat
- Crabgrass can be hairy or smooth, depending on the species. Hairy crabgrass has long, straight hairs along its leaves and stems, while smooth crabgrass has fewer hairs, mostly at the base of the leaves
- The seed heads, which appear in late summer or early fall, look like crab legs or fingers and can produce thousands of seeds
- Crabgrass thrives in sunny areas and is most noticeable in the heat of summer, often popping up in lawns, driveways, and sidewalk cracks
In summary, look for a coarse, light green, low-growing clump with wide blades and a star-like pattern of stems radiating from the center. This distinctive growth habit and appearance set crabgrass apart from most desirable lawn grasses
