Lawn grass weed - Ask Extension
I've got a grass weed invading my perennial rye grass lawn. It's a lighter colored grass and is like a mat that chokes out my rye grass. Any idea how...
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Lawn grass weed #879836
Asked August 01, 2024, 10:39 PM EDT
I've got a grass weed invading my perennial rye grass lawn. It's a lighter colored grass and is like a mat that chokes out my rye grass. Any idea how to get rid of this grass weed?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Dan,
My best guess is roughstalk bluegrass, a common perennial grassy weed in Pennsylvania lawns.Your pictures are pretty good, but I cannot see the tiny key identification features. It has a tall membranous ligule - a structure where the base of the leaf is attached to the stem. Also, roughstalk bluegrass has a keeled or boat-shaped tip. That might be hard to see since it is in a mowed lawn.
Here is a fact sheet from the University of Maryland: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/roughstalk-bluegrass/ that clearly shows the ligule.
There are no herbicides that can selectively remove it from your perennial ryegrass lawn. Those areas can be killed with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate and reseeded with perennial ryegrass two weeks later.
My best guess is roughstalk bluegrass, a common perennial grassy weed in Pennsylvania lawns.Your pictures are pretty good, but I cannot see the tiny key identification features. It has a tall membranous ligule - a structure where the base of the leaf is attached to the stem. Also, roughstalk bluegrass has a keeled or boat-shaped tip. That might be hard to see since it is in a mowed lawn.
Here is a fact sheet from the University of Maryland: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/roughstalk-bluegrass/ that clearly shows the ligule.
There are no herbicides that can selectively remove it from your perennial ryegrass lawn. Those areas can be killed with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate and reseeded with perennial ryegrass two weeks later.
Thanks for your reply. Just to confirm you stated lawns in Pennsylvania have the issue with the with the rough stalk bluegrass but I live in Oregon so is it also found in my state?
Dan
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From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 1:22:53 PM
To: Dan Shumaker <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Lawn grass weed (#0149754)
Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2024 1:22:53 PM
To: Dan Shumaker <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Lawn grass weed (#0149754)
Hi Dan,
Yes, it is also a problem in Oregon.
Here is a researcher from Oregon State talking about it: https://kpic.com/news/local/linn-county-commissioners-get-update-on-controlling-weeds-roughstalk-bluegrass-osu-extension-crop-specialist-christy-tanner
Yes, it is also a problem in Oregon.
Here is a researcher from Oregon State talking about it: https://kpic.com/news/local/linn-county-commissioners-get-update-on-controlling-weeds-roughstalk-bluegrass-osu-extension-crop-specialist-christy-tanner
