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How to Manage Pests

Identification: Weed Photo Gallery

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Dallisgrass

Scientific name: Paspalum dilatatum (Grass Family: Poaceae)

Life stages of Dallisgrass Sheath on seedling Flower head Mature plant Collar region

Click on image to enlarge
DESCRIPTION:
Dallisgrass is a perennial grass. Its rapid growth and profuse seed production enable it to quickly invade garden or orchard areas. The ligule is firm and membranous with a few spreading hairs at the margins. There are no auricles. The mature plant forms loose bunches, 1 to 4 feet (30 - 120 cm) high. The flower head,which is similar to that of goosegrass, consists of 3 to 6 flower structures that arise apart on the stem and often droop. The leaf sheath is somewhat flattened; at the base, it is hairy, often tinged red, and usually inflated. The underground shoots are fairly short with areas that appear as concentric rings. Dallisgrass can be differentiated from tall fescue which forms clumps rather than loose bunches.

See UC IPM's Dallisgrass Pest Note for more information.

Grass ID illustration.

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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