Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa muricata)

Barnyard Grass is a 1' to 3' tall native warm season grass. It is a readily self-seeding annual requiring moist to wet sites and prefers disturbed areas with exposed soils in full sun. An especially valuable native food source for ducks and other waterfowl and is often planted to attract waterfowl. Barnyard Grass often forms dense colonies in wetlands where it provides shelter as well as food for numerous wildlife species in addition to waterfowl. A very similar but non-native species, Echinochloa crus-galli, should be avoided due to its aggressive nature.