You know that one type of grass in your lawn that just won’t go away no matter how much you mow, water, or treat it? The kind that always seems to hang around and ruin your perfectly manicured lawn goals? Well, that pesky grass actually has a botanical name, and knowing what it’s called can help you learn how to finally get rid of it for good. In this article, we’ll explore the botanical name of stubborn grass, look at why it’s so persistent, and discuss strategies for banishing it from your yard so you can have the flawless lawn of your dreams.
What is Stubborn Grass?
Stubborn grass is a warm-season perennial grass that spreads aggressively. It earned the name “stubborn” because it’s so hard to get rid of once established. This coarse, creeping grass produces runners that spread out low to the ground, rooting at the nodes. Stubborn grass is a pesky annual weed that invades lawns and gardens. It spreads fast, choking out surrounding plants as it goes.
Stubborn grass spreads aggressively through underground stems called rhizomes and above-ground stems called stolons. It’s difficult to get rid of because any piece of root or stem left behind can resprout. Once established, stubborn grass forms a thick mat that crowds out more desirable plants and grasses.
To control stubborn grass organically, repeatedly mow, rake, or pull out the grass before it produces seed heads.
The Botanical Name of Stubborn Grass
Sida acuta, commonly known as stubborn grass, is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Stubborn grass is native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.
The botanical name of stubborn grass consists of two parts:
Genus: Sida
The genus Sida contains around 200 species of flowering plants, commonly known as fanpetals. Sida plants are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Most species are native to the Americas, with a few native to Africa, Australia, and Asia.
Species: Acuta
The species name ‘acuta’ means sharp or acute in Latin, likely referring to the pointed tip of the stubborn grass leaf. The sharp, triangular leaves are one of the distinguishing features of this plant.
So in summary, the botanical name of stubborn grass is Sida acuta. This provides insight into its genus, species, characteristics, and relationship to other plants.
Classification and Taxonomy of Stubborn Grass
Stubborn grass, scientifically known as Sida acuta, belongs to the mallow family Malvaceae. In the taxonomic hierarchy, the classification of stubborn grass is:
Kingdom: Plantae
This includes all plants, from mosses and ferns to flowering plants.
Division: Magnoliophyta
Also known as angiosperms, these are flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within a fruit.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Dicotyledons, with two embryonic seed leaves.
Order: Malvales
Contains the mallow family Malvaceae, to which stubborn grass belongs.
Family: Malvaceae
The mallow family, which includes cotton, okra, and hibiscus.
Genus: Sida
A genus of around 200 species of flowering plants in the mallow family.
Species: Sida acuta
The specific epithet ‘acuta’ means sharp-pointed, referring to the shape of the leaves.
Knowing the taxonomic classification of stubborn grass helps us understand its relationship to other plants and can aid in identification. By familiarizing yourself with the categories in the taxonomic hierarchy, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of plant life on our planet.
Characteristics of Stubborn Grass
Stubborn grass is identifiable by several traits.
Deep, Extensive Root System
Stubborn grass has roots that can extend up to 6 feet deep and spread widely, allowing it to outcompete other plants for moisture and nutrients. These roots are also rhizomatous, meaning they can produce new shoots.
Narrow, Wiry Stems
The stems of stubborn grass are thin, wiry, and often form dense mats. They have a prominent midvein and leaf sheaths that are closed for most of their length.
Smooth, Shiny Leaves
The leaves of stubborn grass are narrow, pale green, and smooth. They have sharply pointed tips and no hairs on either surface. The leaves are also folded or rolled inward, giving them a shiny appearance.
Spikelets Contain 3-7 Florets
Stubborn grass produces spikelets that contain 3 to 7 florets and have a flattened appearance. The spikelets are arranged in an open, spreading panicle.
Florets Have Lemmas With Tapering Points
The lemmas (floral bracts) of stubborn grass end in long, tapering points and have margins that are joined for over half their length.
Glumes Are Unequal
The glumes (bracts at the base of each floret) are unequal in size, with the lower glume being much shorter than the upper glume.
Anthers are 1.2-2 mm Long
The anthers (pollen sacs) of stubborn grass measure 1.2 to 2 millimeters in length.
Caryopses are Grooved on One Side
The caryopses (grains) have a shallow groove along one side. They are 2 to 3.5 millimeters long, oval, and somewhat flattened.
Identifying Stubborn Grass by Appearance
Stubborn grass can be identified by several distinguishing features. This coarse, clumping grass has leaves that are oval-shaped, often with a notch at the tip. The leaves also have visible midribs and are attached to hollow stems that tend to lie flat against the ground.
In the summer, stubborn grass produces seed heads made up of several finger-like spikes in a starburst pattern. The spikes contain tiny purple flowers that mature into hard, egg-shaped seeds with a pointed tip. These hardy seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years before germinating.
The most noticeable attribute of stubborn grass is its aggressive, spreading growth habit. It forms dense mats that crowd out surrounding plants and grasses. The stems radiate out from the center of the clump, giving it a somewhat circular shape. New stems root at the nodes to form new offshoots, allowing it to rapidly invade bare spots and thin areas in your lawn.
Uses of Stubborn Grass
Stubborn grass is used for a variety of purposes. As the name suggests, this aggressive grass is nearly impossible to get rid of once established. However, its resilience and tolerance for heat and drought also make it useful for:
Lawns and recreational areas. The dense, lush growth of Stubborn grass makes it ideal for lawns, golf courses, and sports fields in hot climates. It can handle frequent mowing and resists damage from heavy foot traffic.
Livestock forage. The fast-growing nature of Stubborn grass allows 3-4 cuttings per growing season, producing high yields of nutritious forage for grazing animals like cattle, goats, and sheep. It is high in protein and digestible energy.
Erosion control. The extensive root system and thick mat of Stubborn grass helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on embankments, ditch banks, and disturbed areas. Its drought tolerance means it will continue to function even in hot, dry weather.
As you can see, stubborn grass finds many useful applications, in spite of its annoying habit of spreading into places where it’s not wanted. When managed properly and contained, Stubborn grass can be a valuable resource. The key is keeping its vigorous growth in check through mowing, herbicides, or other control methods before it becomes, well, stubborn!
How to Control and Remove Stubborn Grass
Stubborn grass can be difficult to get rid of once established in your lawn or garden. Here are some tips to help control and remove this pesky weed:
The most effective way to get rid of stubborn grass is through manual removal. Pull the entire grass plant, including the roots, to prevent regrowth. Use a weeding tool like a trowel or dandelion remover to dig under the roots and extract the whole plant. For large infestations, repeated manual removal over time may be required.
You can also try using natural or chemical herbicides. Apply an herbicide with glyphosate, like Roundup, directly to the leaves. The herbicide will be absorbed and translocated throughout the plant, killing it completely. For natural alternatives, try using vinegar, boiling water, or salt. Apply these directly to the grass leaves. Repeat applications will likely be needed.
Reseed or overseed the area after removing stubborn grass to thicken your lawn. The dense, healthy grass will crowd out weeds and prevent regrowth. Fertilize your lawn to promote grass growth.
Water and mow your lawn appropriately. Both over and under-watering as well as mowing too short can weaken your grass and create opportunities for stubborn grass to establish. Maintain a regular mowing and watering schedule based on your grass type. You can also try solarizing the area with clear plastic sheeting to increase the temperature and kill the grass.
Prevention is the best method for controlling stubborn grass. Maintain a healthy, dense lawn and garden. Spread a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent germination of weed seeds. Reseed or overseed bare or thinning areas of your lawn. Pull any weeds you see before they produce seed heads.
Conclusion
You now know that stubborn grass has the botanical name of Sida Acuta. While most people just see it as a pesky weed, understanding its scientific classification and traits can help you manage it better in your yard or garden. Even those hard-to-remove roots have a purpose in nature. So next time you’re tempted to curse at the stubborn grass taking over your lawn, take a moment to appreciate how it’s uniquely adapted to thrive. With some targeted weeding and care, you can keep it in check while still benefiting from its ability to prevent erosion.