Weed Nimblewill
Scientific Name Muhlenbergia shreberi
Family Grass family (Poaceae)
Life Cycle Warm season perennial
Reproduction Method Nimblewill spreads from area to area by seeds and spreading stems.
Appearance In turf, nimblewill forms dense patches, often a foot or more in diameter, by spreading stems. It has fibrous roots, and the stems often root at the lower nodes.
Leaves Nimblewill produces blue-green, short, flat leaves up to 2 inches long.
Flowers The long slender flower stalks appear in the late summer. They are borne both at the ends of stems and in leaf axils, are 2 to 6 inches long, and are cylindrical.
Occurrence It tolerates both sunny and shady settings and is often found where growing conditions are moist.
Non Chemical Control Maintaining a dense, healthy lawn through proper turf selection, establishment, and maintenance is the recommended non-chemical control for nimblewill. Nimblewill is often a problem in shaded and/or moist areas where commonly grown turfgrasses are poorly adapted. Modifying the growing conditions by improving soil drainage, reducing shade, and increasing air movement may favor turf growth and increase its ability to compete with nimblewill.
Chemical Control
Application Period Apply non-selective, postemergence herbicides during periods of active weed growth.
Active Ingredient in Labeled Products

Preemergent

Postemergent

  • No selective control
  • No selective control
Notes As with other warm season grasses (e. g., zoysiagrass and bermudagrass), nimblewill is dormant from mid autumn through mid to late spring. When dormant, nimblewill is a faded dull brown; the patches tend to appear fuzzy, somewhat resembling a scouring pad. In turf invaded by nimblewill, these faded, fuzzy patches are especially apparent when cool season turf is green and actively growing in spring and autumn.

(Click on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)

Nimblewill in hand

Nimblewill in turf

Nimblewill going dormant

Nimblewill in Kentucky bluegrass

Nimblewill sheath

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