Crowfoot Grass: What Every Gardener Should Know About This Widespread Grass
If you’ve ever noticed a small, tough grass with distinctive finger-like seed heads sprouting in unexpected places around your yard, you’ve likely encountered crowfoot grass (Dactyloctenium). This resilient little grass has quite the story to tell, and understanding it can help you make better decisions for your garden and landscape.
What is Crowfoot Grass?
Crowfoot grass is a low-growing annual and perennial grass that gets its common name from its unique seed heads, which spread out like the toes of a crow’s foot. These finger-like projections radiate from a central point, creating a distinctive appearance that makes this grass relatively easy to identify once you know what to look for.
As a member of the grass family, crowfoot grass is what we call a graminoid – part of that large group of grass and grass-like plants that includes true grasses, sedges, and rushes.
Where You’ll Find It
Here’s where things get interesting: crowfoot grass isn’t originally from North America. This hardy little plant is a non-native species that has made itself quite at home across a remarkable range of locations. You can find it growing in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and even in territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Originally hailing from Africa and parts of Asia, this grass has proven remarkably adaptable to diverse climates and conditions across its adopted range.
Should You Plant Crowfoot Grass?
This is where we need to have an honest conversation. While crowfoot grass isn’t typically considered a serious invasive threat, it’s also not something most gardeners would intentionally choose for their landscapes. Here’s why:
The Reality Check
- It’s not particularly attractive compared to intentionally bred lawn grasses
- Once established, it can be persistent and difficult to remove
- It doesn’t provide significant benefits to local wildlife or pollinators
- It tends to appear in disturbed areas rather than enhance designed landscapes
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of crowfoot grass, consider these native options that will serve your landscape better while supporting local ecosystems:
- Buffalo grass – Perfect for drought-tolerant lawns in western regions
- Little bluestem – Beautiful ornamental grass with seasonal color
- Sedges – Excellent for naturalized areas and rain gardens
- Native bunch grasses – Specific to your region, these provide habitat and visual interest
Growing Conditions and Management
If crowfoot grass has already appeared in your landscape, understanding its preferences can help you manage it:
Where It Thrives
- Hot, dry conditions (it’s quite drought-tolerant)
- Poor, disturbed soils
- Areas with minimal competition
- USDA zones 8-11, with some cold tolerance into zone 7
Management Tips
- Hand-pull small patches when soil is moist
- Improve soil conditions and establish desired plants to outcompete it
- Regular mowing can weaken it over time
- Avoid disturbing soil unnecessarily, as this creates opportunities for establishment
The Bottom Line
Crowfoot grass is one of those plants that’s neither hero nor villain in the garden story. It’s simply a hardy survivor that’s found its niche in our landscapes. While it’s not going to harm your garden ecosystem significantly, it’s also not going to enhance it in meaningful ways.
If you’re planning new plantings or renovating existing areas, you’ll get much more bang for your buck – and do more good for local wildlife – by choosing native grasses and groundcovers instead. Your local extension office or native plant society can point you toward the best options for your specific area.
Remember, every plant choice is an opportunity to create habitat, conserve water, and build resilient landscapes. Why not make those choices count?
