A non - native grass of the United States , crab grass ( Digitaria sanguinalis ) belong in the Poaceae family . some 300 specie fall out in semitropical and tropical fix of Asia , Africa , North America and Europe . The grass grow flat , spreading blades nigh to the ground . Considered a mourning band , crabgrass is quite invasive once established . It has the power to outcompete other grass species .

African Origin

The origin of the crabgrass semen can be follow back to Africa where the Europeans first collected the harvest seeds and bring them back to Europe , fit in to the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation . Once in Europe , crabgrass was spring up as an animal forage and as a solid food additive . The seeds were also ferment to make up beer . In Africa , the seeds of finger grass are bonk as , Fonio , and still stay on a outstanding staple in many locations .

Importation into the United States

In the 1800s crabgrass seeds were impart across to the United States from Europe by immigrant . The other settler produce the grass and harvested the semen , which they would use like millet . They would bake crabgrass seeds in breads and porridge . In 1849 the United States Department of Agriculture imported finger grass germ to plant for a forage for draft horse . When the turn of the century arrive crabgrass seeds were rarely used in culinary dishes , according to the North Vernon Plain Dealer and Sun . field of operations of crabgrass were normally planted for fauna forage all the way into the 1940s .

Effects

Crabgrass became an extremely incursive mourning band in part of North America where it turn tail cultivation . It quickly took up hall in cotton plant fields and maize field , where it was near out of the question to exterminate before the advent of selective herbicides . The grass easily takes up abidance in disturbed locating or cultivated fields . It grows in low clumps .

Considerations

The rough climate of Africa has caused crabgrass to evolve so it can resist harsh condition where catamenia of drouth or excessive rain exist . sealed species of crabgrass have even adapted to hold up extreme wintertime in parts of the United States . A prolific source manufacturer , one chunk of finger grass can bring forth 150,000 seeds per year . The seeds can be dormant in the grease for years until the condition are idealistic for the grass to commence to grow , according to Michigan State University .

Prevention/Solution

For 50 years crabgrass has plagued gardeners and commercial farmers , according to Texas A & M University . maintain a thick sod can help eliminate finger grass from lawns . Due to its origination of growing in Africa close to the equator , finger grass seeds have evolved to require plentiful sunlight in order for germination to pass . If the seeds do not receive abundant sunlight , germination will never take seat and the ejaculate will be dormant . maintain a thick turf helps cut off the luminousness to the crabgrass seeds so sprouting never occurs . legion herbicide also subsist for crabgrass mastery .

References

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