Grass Weed Identification and Biology
The following section will introduce you to some of the more problematic grass weeds found in Ireland.
Before deciding on how to control a weed, first it must be accurately identified and its growth pattern and biology understood, this will enable you to develop the right strategy that will give you sustainable and cost effective control.
Identification
Grasses have many common characteristics that can be used to make an accurate identification. When identifying grass weeds look out for these main characteristics:
- the presence of rhizomes and stolon’s
- whether the leaves are rolled or folded within the stem
- the presence and appearance of the auricles
- the presence of hairs on the leaves and leaf sheaths the shape of the ligule
- the structure and appearance of the seed head
Using a guide such as the Bayer Weed Guide is a useful tool to help identify many of these weeds as it provides a structure to the identification process.
There are many other characteristics which are less common and maybe more distinct to individual species such as a reddish/purple colour at the base of the stem or on the leaf sheath, characteristics of the leaves, such as colour and twists in the leaves. These are very useful to know but as there are many it is maybe not practical to be familiar with them all
This video demonstrates how to get started with the identification and recognising essential characteristics.
