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Quack grass vs Switch grass #877062

Asked July 13, 2024, 10:11 AM EDT

Our Armatage neighborhood has a 1-year planting in our toddler park that we're weeding. We are having difficulty telling the quack grass from the switch grass when they grow together. Could someone meet us at the park (W 38th St & Washburn Ave S in Minneapolis) sometime and help us see the difference? Thanks, Linda Ridlehuber <personal data hidden><personal data hidden> (text also fine)

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Linda -- Master Gardeners and Extension do not provide individual consultation. If you brought a samples or photos a full-service garden center might be able to identify the grasses. Otherwise, there are a couple of good websites that describe quackgrass and switchgrass that I think might help in their identification.  In brief, quackgrass can be identified by its clasping auricles, a claw-like appendage at the base of the leaf that wraps around the stem. Also, the underside of the alternate leaves does not have hairs and leaves grows 2 to 12 inches long. Switchgrass leaves also alternate but lack clasping auricles, are hairless except near the base, which is often variously covered in long, silky hairs and leaves grows longer, 7 to 20 inches, than quackgrass.  I hope this helps!


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 17, 2024, 5:26 PM EDT

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