Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crus-galli): Common Annual of Wet Disturbed Sites

Overview

Barnyard Grass (also known as Barnyard Millet or Japanese Millet) is a coarse, summer annual grass found worldwide in moist, disturbed habitats. It grows 1-5 feet tall with thick stems and a distinctive, often purplish, panicle seed head. It is a major weed in rice and row crops but also used as forage and for wildlife food plots.

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Synonyms: Echinochloa crus-galli subsp. spiralis, Panicum crus-galli.

Cultivation & Uses

Full sun to part shade; wet to moist soil. Not typically grown as an ornamental. Cultivated varieties (Japanese Millet) are used for erosion control, cover crops, and waterfowl food plots. High seed production provides abundant bird food.