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DESCRIPTION:
Prairie cupgrass is a summer annual grass. In California
it is predominant on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, infesting
cultivated crops, orchards, vineyards, and roadsides. Prairie cupgrass
is often mistaken for southwestern
cupgrass
and barnyardgrass.
Its seedlings can be distinguished from those of southwestern cupgrass
by the soft hairs on the leaf blade and leaf sheath. The ligule
is short and less prominent than that of southwestern cupgrass.
Several stems grow from the base of the mature light grayish-green
plants, which stand 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) tall. Stem branching
gives the plants a bushy appearance. In open areas without competition,
prairie cupgrass stems can take on a somewhat spreading growth
habit. Generally, leaves are not as broad as those of southwestern
cupgrass. The branching flower structure has 1 to 2 inch (2.5-5 cm)
branches and the flowers are
arranged in two rows on one side of
branches. The dark, cuplike
structure at the base of each
flower is not as pronounced as
that of southwestern cupgrass.
Grass ID illustration.
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