How to Identify Goosegrass
Goosegrass (Eleusine indica), also called silver crabgrass or wiregrass, grows in a flat rosette pressed tight against the ground. The defining feature is the white or silvery-white center where all the stems originate, creating what lawn care professionals call the “zipper pattern” or “white center.”
The blades are dark green (noticeably darker than crabgrass), flat, and folded along the midrib. Seed heads have 2 to 6 finger-like branches that are thicker and more compact than crabgrass seed heads. The entire plant lies flatter to the ground than crabgrass and has a tougher, more wiry texture.
Where and Why It Grows
Goosegrass is the weed that tells you your soil is compacted. It thrives in areas with heavy foot traffic, along walkways and driveways, in sports turf, and anywhere the soil has been compressed. It tolerates compaction better than almost any other plant, including your lawn grass.
It germinates 2 to 3 weeks later than crabgrass, typically when soil temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees. This means pre-emergent applied for crabgrass timing may not last long enough to prevent goosegrass. A split application or a product with longer residual is needed for areas with both weeds.
