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Weed Identification #744619

Asked April 16, 2021, 9:32 AM EDT

Looking to identify this "weed". It has taken over my lawn and it wasn't there in the fall/winter last year. Trying to figure out what it is, how to eliminate it and prevent it from reocurring. Pic is attached.

Ingham County Michigan

Expert Response

The predominant weed I see is quack grass (Elymus repens).  Its most obvious in the spring. Read the articles on the links below:

MSU Turf Weeds.net

Turf Weed ID & Control-Purdue

Quackgrass now appearing in turf - MSU Extension

WILL TENACITY (MESOTRIONE) KILL QUACKGRASS? | Turfgrass

Dick M. Replied April 17, 2021, 5:24 PM EDT
I don't think it is quack grass.  We intentionally killed our existing lawn last year and brought in many yards of soil and reseeded to get rid of the quack grass.  The quack grass grows more in bunches and with rhizomes.  I am fairly confident this is a rye grass of some kind.  With that said, we bought seed and seeded last fall and evidently there is perennial green supreme plus rye and perennial barbados rye.  I can't say for sure that is what we have, but it looks pretty similar.  There are pretty distinct auricles and it appears (currently) that there is a tap root as opposed to rhizomes.  The underside of the leaf is NOT shiny green, there are clasping oracles, and appears to be a rolled (not folded) vernation.   Here is a good pic and description of that type....   imagePerennialryegrass (massey.ac.nz)

If I am correct that it is one of the two perennial rye grasses listed above, do you know if there is a way to get rid of it without doing another lawn kill?  




On Friday, April 16, 2021, 09:32:47 AM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:



Dear jrostoni,

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YOUR QUESTION #0014550:

Weed Identification

Looking to identify this "weed". It has taken over my lawn and it wasn't there in the fall/winter last year. Trying to figure out what it is, how to eliminate it and prevent it from reocurring. Pic is attached.

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The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2021, 9:43 AM EDT

I have not been successful finding out anything on the perennial green supreme plus rye and perennial barbados rye cultivars you suggested.  Generally ryegrass cannot tolerate the southern summer heat and will be killed.  Perennial ryegrass is a successful turfgrass in cool season turf and I have not ben able to find anything that is selective to only kill ryegrass.

I suggest you contact the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostic Center for further assistance.  Be prepared to send them detailed photos for analysis.  https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/services-fees/

Please send me a short reply of their identification and how to eliminate them for my edification.  Thank you.

Dick M. Replied April 21, 2021, 3:38 PM EDT
Will do.  Thank you.  



On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 03:38:31 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied April 22, 2021, 8:01 AM EDT

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