Small carpetgrass is an invasive annual to perennial grass in the Poaceae family native to Asia. It is thought it was accidentally introduced to the USA in the early 1900s. It spreads quickly and forms dense colonies in riparian areas, around ponds and lakes, in wet meadows, or any open, moist disturbed area. It is now found in 25 states in the east and midwest From New England south to FL and west to TX. In NC it is found in all areas but is most problematic in the Piedmont. The grass prefers moist soil in sunny conditions and grows to 18 inches tall. It spreads by producing large amounts of seeds and also roots at nodes to spread vegetatively. The 1-3-inch long green leaves have heart-shaped bases and clasp the stem. The green to purple flowers appear in late summer on branching stems in 1-3 inch long spikes. Fruit is a caryopsis with many seeds. Control of small areas is best done by hand pulling prior to flowering and mowing. Larger infestations respond to glyphosate-based products. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weedy and invasive. See native alternatives to the left.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Green leaves are 1-3 inches long with heart-shaped base that clasps the stem. The tip is pointed and there are sparse to many white hairs along the margins and stem.
Flower color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers late summer to fall on branched stems and leaf axils on spikes. Spikelets are pale green to purplish.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Fruit detail
Seeds are yellowish in color and 4mm long
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Round green sometimes with red stems are erect to semi-erect with white hairs