stink grass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Eragrostis cilianensis

Other Common Names:

candy grass

lovegrass

strongscented lovegrass

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Eragrostis major

Poa cilianensis

Eragrostis megastachya

Habit

Stinkgrass is a upright grass that can grow to 2 feet tall that emits an unpleasant odor when crushed.

Leaves

Leaves of Stinkgrass are rolled in the bud and are approximately 0.2 to 0.4 in wide. Leaves are smooth and glossy below while upper leaf surfaces are rough. Auricles are absent but the ligule, fringes of hair are usually present.

Identifying Characteristics

Annual grass that emits an unpleasant odor and has ligules that are less than 1 mm long and are a fringe of hairs. The distinctive grayish-green panicle also helps to distinguish this weed from other similar grasses. Leaf sheaths are round to slightly flattened, without hairs except for long hairs at the collar, where the leaf joins the sheath.

Flower Seed Head

Seedhead is a triangular panicle. They have a grayish green cast. Panicles may reach 8 inches in length. It consists of spikelets that are approximately 3/4 inch long. Individual spikelets are gray to silver in color.

Seed Fruit

Seeds are dark brown, oval in shape, and less than 1mm in size.

Where Found

Stinkgrass was introduced from Europe but can be found across the United States. It is a common grass weed of many agronomic crops, pastures, hayfields, and non-crop areas.