Quackgrass—Elymus repens, Elytrigia repens

A creeping perennial grass, quackgrass spreads extensively through rhizomes (horizontal underground stems). It is an aggressive invader in crops, pastures, lawns, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

quackgrass infestation
Leaves are long, flat and tapered, and slightly hairy on the upper surface.

quackgrass flower
Seeds grow on long, narrow spiked seed heads which are 3 to 8 inches long and appear in July.

quackgrass diagram
Stems are smooth and hollow and grow 1 to 4 feet tall.

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[Photos, left to right: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org; Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org; USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org]