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Help identify a weed and how to get rid of it #939245

Asked July 14, 2026, 12:32 PM EDT

Hello. I live in Gresham, Oregon and have a grassy weed spreading through about half my cool season lawn. I’m attaching photos of the lawn, close-ups, and the whole plant with roots. I originally thought it might be Japanese stiltgrass but I’m no longer sure. Could you please help identify it and advise control options that will preserve my lawn if possible? Thank you. Trish


Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Trish,

Thank you for your question.  Grassy weeds can be very difficult to ID from photos if there is no seedhead present.  I would recommend you send me a live sample of the grassy weed in question and I can ID it with more confidence.  Below is of link to our Turfgrass Diagnostic lab.  If you send a sample to the address listed on the website, I will take a look at it.

https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/beaverturf/diagnostic-lab

Based on the photos, I suspect that this is common bermudagrass which is very difficult to control in cool-season lawns.

Chas

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 15, 2026, 12:08 PM EDT

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