Barnyard grass

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Barnyard grass

Barnyard grass leaf

Barnyard grass

Barnyard grass spikelets

Barnyard grass inflorescence

Barnyard grass inflorescence

Barnyard grass leaf

Morphology

Culm

Decumbent to ascending or erect, stout, glabrous.

Blades

Flat, 4-20 inches long, 1/4 to 3/4 inch wide, smooth, mid-vein conspicuous; margins wavy-toothed.

Sheath

Glabrous.

Ligule

Absent.

Inflorescence

Panicles, erect or nodding, 3-12 inches long, pale green to purplish; branches 5-12, pressed together or spreading.

Spikelets

Round, 1- or 2-flowered, arranged in 2 rows on 1 side of each branch rachis; sterile lemma and second glume usually bearing bristles that arise from blister-like bases; second glume pointed or bearing short awn; sterile lemma pointed or bearing awn to 3/5 inch long; fertile lemma rigid, somewhat flattened; tip firm, stiff, not separated from lemma body by line of hairs.

Ecology

Habitat

Moist, open, disturbed areas, cultivated fields, corrals, and waste sites.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas.

Practical Information

Forage Value

Barnyard grass has fair forage value when grazed early, but it is unpalatable at maturity.

Uses

Birds will consume the seeds. Some Native American tribes used the seeds for food.

Additional Notes