American crowfoot grass (Eleusine tristachya, Tabl. Encycl. 1: 203 (1792))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Lam.) Lam.

Bibliography: Tabl. Encycl. 1: 203 (1792)

Year: 1792

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eleusine

Vegetable: False

Observations: Brazil to S. South America

Description

American crowfoot grass, scientifically known as Eleusine tristachya, is a notable member of the Poaceae family. First described in the comprehensive botanical work Tabl. Encycl. in 1792 by renowned botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, this grass species carries significant ecological and botanical importance.

Eleusine tristachya thrives across a broad geographical range, stretching from Brazil to the southern regions of South America. This adaptability speaks to its resilience and capacity to flourish in diverse climates and soil conditions found within this expansive area.

Characterized by its distinctive growth pattern and structure, American crowfoot grass features clusters of spikelets arranged along the stem, reminiscent of a crow’s foot, which contributes to its common name. The overall morphology aids in its identification and differentiation from related species within the Poaceae family.

Historically and ecologically, American crowfoot grass serves as an essential component of the grassland ecosystems in its native regions. Its presence supports various wildlife species and contributes to the maintenance of soil health and stability, playing a critical role in the natural workings of these environments.

As a subject of scientific study since the 18th century, Eleusine tristachya continues to be of interest for botanists and ecologists who seek to understand the complexities of South American grass species and their interactions within their habitats. The historical documentation and ongoing research underscore its importance both historically and in contemporary ecological studies.

Common Names

Eng: american yard-grass, american crowfoot grass, american yard grass, threespike goosegrass, crab grass, three-spike grass
Deu: dreiähriger korakan
Ita: panicella
Dan: treakset fingerhirse
Hun: aszályfűfaj
Fra: éleusine à deux épis
Swe: amerikansk gåshirs
Cym: ffaldwellt america
En: American crowfoot grass, Crab grass, Three-spike grass, American yard grass, Threespike goosegrass, American Yard-grass
Ca: Eleusina geminada
Da: Treakset fingerhirse
Fr: Éleusine à deux épis
De: Dreiähriger Korakan, Dreiährige Fingerhirse
Hu: Aszályfűfaj
It: Panicella
Sv: Amerikansk gåshirs
Cy: Ffaldwellt America

Synonyms

• Eleusine indica var. condensata (Döll)
• Eleusine indica var. tristachya ((Lam.) Fiori)
• Eleusine indica var. brachystachya (Trin.)
• Eleusine tristachya f. latifolia (Hack.)
• Eleusine oligostachya (Link)
• Eleusine leucosperma (Bernh. ex Steud.)
• Eleusine erythrosperma (Jan ex Steud.)
• Eleusine indica var. geminata ((Spreng.) Kuntze)
• Eleusine italica (N.Terracc.)
• Eleusine geminata ((Spreng.) Lange)
• Eleusine barcinonensis (Costa)
• Eleusine indica subsp. barcinonensis ((Costa ex Willk.) K.Richt.)
• Eleusine barcinonensis var. mixta (Gand.)
• Cynosurus tristachyos (Lam.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Juan Fernández Is. (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Denyse Lamontagne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by ruiz miguel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2020 by Sabaté Sant Jordi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − G. A. Parada (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jeannine NICOLAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean MAURE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Nov 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean MAURE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2020 by Sabaté Sant Jordi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705955)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30127333-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eleusine tristachya (Lam.) Lam.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth