itchgrass
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Rottboellia cochinchinensisOther Common Names:
corngrass
raoulgrass
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Manisuris exaltata
Rottboellia exaltata
Aegilops exaltata
Habit
This weed is an upright grass that can reach approximately 9 feet tall.
Leaves
The leaves of Itchgrass are approximately 4 to 20 inches long and 1.5 to 7.5 inches wide. The leaves have stiff hairs on both sides of the leaves. The ligule is hairy and around a tenth of an inch long.
Identifying Characteristics
Itchgrass can be identified by its long, stiff hairs on the sheath, presence of prop roots, roots used for support, and seed heads that are cylindrical and jointed.
Flower Seed Head
The seedhead is a raceme that is cylindrical and jointed. It ranges from 2 to 6 inches in length.
Seed Fruit
The seed is a tan caryopsis, a dry singular fruit, that breaks apart with the rachis.
Where Found
Itchgrass is mainly a weed of pastures and roadsides. It is also listed as a Federal Noxious Weed.
Leaf Hair on Upper Surface
hairs from base to tip
Leaf Arrangement
rolled in bud
Mature Leaf Width
Varies:
less than 5 mm,
6 to 15 mm,
more than 15 mm
Stem
flat or oval
Seedhead
spike
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
summer annual
Auricle
not present
Ligule
Varies:
membrane,
hairy
Ligule Length
Varies:
less than 1 mm,
1-2 mm,
2-3 mm
Plant Type
Grass