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goosegrass
Scientific Name: Acrachne
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Goosegrass: A Multifaceted Plant
The name "Goosegrass" is applied to several different plants, including grasses, sedges, and annual herbs. This common name likely originates either from the plant's use as food for geese or from plant parts resembling a goose's foot.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Goosegrass species have parts that look like a goose’s foot
Considerations for Children
- Galium aparine (one plant known as Goosegrass) is covered in small hooks, allowing it to cling to surfaces. Children have been known to stick it to each other.
Scientific and Common Names
- The common name "Goosegrass" can refer to multiple species, including:
- Eleusine indica (Preferred Scientific Name)
- Galium aparine
- Acrachne (genus of grass)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Eleusine indica:
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Galium aparine belongs to the family Rubiaceae.
Synonyms and Alternative Names
- Eleusine indica: Bullgrass, Crow's foot grass, Goosefoot, Indian goose grass, Silver crabgrass, Wire grass
- Galium aparine: Cleavers, clivers, catchweed, stickyweed, robin-run-the-hedge, sticky willy, sticky willow, velcro weed, grip grass, and Bed Straw.
Distribution and Habitat
- Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is found throughout the world, except for non-irrigated desert regions. It is common in southern Florida year-round.
- Galium aparine is common throughout Europe and has become naturalized in other temperate regions.
Ecological Role
- Goosegrass (likely referring to Eleusine indica) is considered a troublesome grassy weed in athletic fields and golf courses. It is known to spread readily via seeds dispersed by wind.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Galium aparine is a herbaceous annual plant that clings to almost everything it touches due to a multitude of small hooks covering it.
- Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) often forms a low-growing rosette with pronounced white-colored leaf sheaths.
- Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is a warm-season summer annual grassy weed that predominates in exposed, trafficked conditions.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Galium aparine relies on its delicate hooks to cling to other plants and objects.
- Glyphosate-resistant biotypes of goosegrass (Eleusine indica) have been identified.
Traditional Uses and Chemical Compounds
- Galium aparine has been used medicinally and as a food source.
- Goose Grass has a diuretic effect.
- It contains the chemical compound coumarin.
- It is known in the herbalist's world as a blood purifier and spring cleanser.
Quirky Facts
- Galium aparine is known for its ability to cling to almost anything it touches due to the multitude of small hooks covering its stem and leaves.