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Grassy Weeds - Range & Pasture - Goosegrass

BES-TEX Weed ID Guide · Grassy Weeds

Goosegrass

Eleusine indica

Summer annual Grassy

Common Name

Goosegrass

Latin Name

Eleusine indica

Family

Poaceae

Life Cycle / Type

Summer annual · Grassy weed

What Is It?

Goosegrass is a summer annual grassy weed with a low, flat, clumping growth habit and a distinct white to silver center at the base of the plant. It thrives in compacted soil, high-traffic areas, and thin turf, often appearing later than crabgrass.

Goosegrass plant
Photo: extension.psu.edu.

Soil Temperature & Germination

Goosegrass germinates later in the spring as soils warm further.

Too cool
Germination begins
Peak germination and rapid growth
 
65°F
75°F

Above 65°F

Germination begins

Above 75°F

Peak germination and rapid growth

Decision Question

Is the goosegrass visible above the soil right now?

YES

It is already up.

Post-Emergent Herbicide BMP

NO

It has not emerged.

Pre-Emergent Herbicide BMP

Why This Weed Comes Back

Missed or early spring-only pre-emergent timing

Compacted soil and high traffic

Thin or stressed turf

Learn the Basics

A healthy, thick lawn is the best defense against weeds.

Lawn Care 101 BMP
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