American barnyard grass (Echinochloa muricata, Rhodora 17: 106 (1915))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (P.Beauv.) Fernald

Bibliography: Rhodora 17: 106 (1915)

Year: 1915

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Echinochloa

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to U.S.A.

Description

American barnyard grass, scientifically known as Echinochloa muricata, is a species belonging to the family Poaceae. First referenced in a scientific description in the 1915 edition of Rhodora by the botanist P. Beauvois, with further classification by Fernald, this grass is widely distributed across Central and Eastern Canada and the United States.

Typically found in wet, marshy areas and along the edges of water bodies, American barnyard grass is recognizable by its robust, leafy appearance. Its stems often grow in a sprawling fashion, and it can reach heights ranging from a foot up to several feet, depending on environmental conditions. The plant’s leaves are broad and flat, typically exhibiting a rough texture that is characteristic of the genus Echinochloa.

The inflorescence of American barnyard grass is a dense, bristly panicle that can vary in color from green to a purplish hue as it matures. These bristles, or awns, are a distinguishing feature and contribute to the plant’s rough texture. The seeds produced are small and hard, aiding in the widespread dissemination of the species as they can easily adhere to animal fur or be transported by water and wind.

Ecologically, Echinochloa muricata plays a significant role in its habitat, providing food and cover for a variety of wildlife, including birds and small mammals. However, it can also be considered a weed in agricultural settings, particularly in rice fields and other crops where its rapid growth and robust nature may compete with cultivated plants for resources.

Despite its weedy tendencies, American barnyard grass demonstrates resilience and adaptability, thriving in diverse conditions from wet meadows to roadside ditches. This adaptability underscores its inherent ecological value and its role in natural plant communities across its extensive North American range.

Common Names

Eng: american barnyard grass, rough barnyard grass, rough cockspur, prickly barnyard grass
Dan: amerikansk hanespore
Deu: borstige hühnerhirse, stachel-hühnerhirse, stachelfrüchtige hühnerhirse
Fra: échinochloé muriqué, échinochloa piquant, pungent millet
Nld: stekelige hanenpoot
Swe: amerikansk hönshirs
En: American barnyard grass, Rough barnyard grass, Rough cockspur, Prickly barnyard grass, Muricate Barnyard-grass, Rough Barnyardgrass
Da: Amerikansk hanespore
Nl: Stekelige hanenpoot
Fr: Échinochloé muriqué, Échinochloa piquant, Pungent millet, Panic épineux
De: Borstige Hühnerhirse, Stachel-Hühnerhirse, Stachelfrüchtige Hühnerhirse, Stachelige Hühnerhirse
Sv: Amerikansk hönshirs
: Rough barnyardgrass

Synonyms

• Echinochloa wiegandii ((Fassett) McNeill & Dore)
• Echinochloa muricata var. multiflora (Wiegand)
• Echinochloa crus-galli var. muricata ((P.Beauv.) Farw.)
• Echinochloa crus-galli subsp. muricata ((P.Beauv.) Shinners)
• Setaria muricata (P.Beauv.)
• Echinochloa microstachya ((Wiegand) Rydb.)
• Echinochloa muricata var. microstachya (Wiegand)
• Echinochloa muricata var. wiegandii ((Fassett) Mohlenbr.)
• Echinochloa muricata var. ludoviciana (Wiegand)
• Echinochloa crus-galli var. michauxii (House)
• Echinochloa pungens ((Poir.) Rydb.)
• Echinochloa crus-galli var. microstachya ((Wiegand) Shinners)
• Panicum muricatum (Michx.)
• Echinochloa muricata subsp. microstachya ((Wiegand) Jauzein)
• Echinochloa pungens var. multiflora ((Wiegand) Fernald & Griscom)
• Echinochloa pungens var. wiegandii (Fassett)
• Oplismenus muricatus (Kunth)
• Echinochloa pungens var. coarctata (Fernald & Griscom)
• Echinochloa pungens var. ludoviciana ((Wiegand) Fernald & Griscom)
• Echinochloa pungens var. microstachya ((Wiegand) Fernald & Griscom)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Frédéric Faure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Frédéric Faure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by momohabilis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Attila Váncsa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by Jetze Harkink (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2702816)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:88087-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Echinochloa muricata (P.Beauv.) Fernald)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 8