BARNYARD GRASS

(Echinochloa crusgalli), coarse annual grass of the family Poaceae (Gramineae) and one of about 20 species comprising the genus Echinochloa. The common name also applies to a similar species, E. muricata, not considered a separate species by some authorities. Barnyard grass is distributed throughout much of North America as a weed in moist cultivated and waste areas. It has been variously known as barn grass and barnyard millet.