Goose Grass
Eleusine indica
Also listed as Cynosurus indicus, Cynodon indicus
Also known as India Goose Grass, Indian Goose Grass, Crowfoot Grass
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A warm-season annual grass with finger-like seed heads, commonly found as a weedy species in lawns and disturbed areas. It establishes quickly in warm climates and tolerates poor soil conditions.
Why grow it
Eleusine indica establishes faster than many other warm-season grasses in marginal soils, making it useful for quick ground stabilization in hot climates where conventional turf struggles. Unlike finer ornamental grasses, it tolerates compaction and poor fertility, reducing amendment needs. However, it lacks the aesthetic refinement of cultivated pasture grasses and the nitrogen-fixing benefits of legumes, so it functions best as a temporary cover or pioneer species rather than a long-term forage or landscape component.
Watch out for
Goose grass grows vigorously in summer heat and can require frequent cutting to prevent excessive seed production if that is a management goal. Its coarse texture may be visually incongruous in ornamental plantings, and it tends to thin or decline during cool months in temperate regions, potentially leaving bare patches.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
Africa and tropical Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A warm-season annual grass with finger-like seed heads, commonly found as a weedy species in lawns and disturbed areas. It establishes quickly in warm climates and tolerates poor soil conditions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Goose Grass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Eleusine indica establishes faster than many other warm-season grasses in marginal soils, making it useful for quick ground stabilization in hot climates where conventional turf struggles. Unlike finer ornamental grasses, it tolerates compaction and poor fertility, reducing amendment needs. However, it lacks the aesthetic refinement of cultivated pasture grasses and the nitrogen-fixing benefits of legumes, so it functions best as a temporary cover or pioneer species rather than a long-term forage or landscape component.
Watch out for
Goose grass grows vigorously in summer heat and can require frequent cutting to prevent excessive seed production if that is a management goal. Its coarse texture may be visually incongruous in ornamental plantings, and it tends to thin or decline during cool months in temperate regions, potentially leaving bare patches.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
Africa and tropical Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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