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Barnyard grass Facts

Barnyard grass Facts
Barnyard grass is flowering plant that belongs to the grass family. It originates from Europe and Asia, but it can be found around the world today. Barnyard grass grows in the fields, pastures, meadows, areas near the roads and in the wastelands. It can be also found in the orchards, vineyards, gardens and lawns. Barnyard grass is classified as weed in the agricultural fields because it prevents growth of commercially important plants by reducing amount of water, nutrients and sunlight. Barnyard grass can thrive in many different climates and on various soil types. It can survive on the altitude of 4.900 feet. Barnyard grass cannot be easily removed from occupied areas because it reproduces quickly and tolerates different types of herbicides.
Interesting Barnyard grass Facts:
Barnyard grass has coarse stem that can reach up to 5 feet in height. Stem is flattened close to the ground, and roundish in the upper parts of the plant.
Stem of barnyard grass initially grows close to the ground and forms fibrous roots at the nodes. At one point, it bends and starts to grow in height. Barnyard grass grows solitary or in small groups (in the form of tufts).
Barnyard grass has flat, elongated, linear leaves. They are smooth, dark green or purple colored.
Barnyard grass produces multi-branched, densely packed flower heads composed of knot-like flowers (spikelets) covered with stiff hairs. Flower heads can be yellowish, reddish, pinkish, greenish, purple or nearly black-colored.
Barnyard grass blooms from June to October. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs and they are designed for self-pollination.
Fruit of barnyard grass are pale yellow, shiny grains.
Barnyard grass completes its lifecycle in 42 to 64 days and it produces up to 42.000 seed per season
Barnyard grass propagates via seed which retains ability to germinate up to 13 years.
Barnyard grass can be cultivated and used as hay. Grazing cattle can feed on fresh barnyard grass in the pastures.
Seed of barnyard grass represents important source of food for songbirds and waterfowl. Pheasants and waterfowls construct nest in the meadows where this plant grows in abundance.
Grains of barnyard grass can be also used in human diet.
Barnyard grass is often planted in the fields by mistake, because it resembles a rice. Barnyard grass can reduce yield of commercially important plants such as rice, maize, sugar cane and sorghum for up to 50%.
Barnyard grass also transmits plant pathogens such as tungro (type of virus), rice yellow dwarf viruses and fungi which drastically reduce quality of cultivated crops.
"Billion dollar grass" is a type of barnyard grass that is cultivated in ornamental purposes. It has erect stem and nearly black colored inflorescence.
Barnyard grass is an annual plant, which means that it completes its lifecycle in one year.


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