Dallisgrass
Paspalum dilatatum
Dallisgrass is one of the most frustrating and difficult-to-control grassy weeds found in Middle Tennessee lawns. Unlike crabgrass, which dies off every winter, dallisgrass is a warm-season perennial. This means its deep, thick root system survives the winter frost, and the plant returns larger and more aggressive year after year.
It forms unsightly, coarse-textured clumps that grow in a circular pattern, often expanding outward and choking out the surrounding fescue. Dallisgrass grows significantly faster than desirable turfgrass, meaning it will stick up noticeably above the rest of your lawn just a few days after mowing. It is particularly problematic in areas with poor drainage or heavy clay soils that retain moisture.
How to Identify Dallisgrass
- 1Forms distinct, thick clumps with a coarse texture.
- 2Leaves are relatively wide, with a prominent mid-rib running down the center.
- 3Produces tall seed stalks with 3 to 5 finger-like spikes that have distinctive black, sticky seeds.
- 4Grows rapidly, standing out above the rest of the lawn shortly after mowing.
Treatment & Control
Dallisgrass is notoriously resistant to standard herbicides. Because it is a perennial, spring pre-emergents will not stop existing plants from returning, though they can help prevent new seeds from establishing. Controlling mature dallisgrass in a fescue lawn requires highly specialized, professional-grade selective post-emergent herbicides applied in multiple, carefully timed treatments. In severe cases, non-selective spot treatment followed by reseeding the area may be necessary.
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