QUACK GRASS

also called couch grass, or quick grass (Agropyron repens) rapidly spreading grass of the family Poaceae. It has flat, somewhat hairy leaves and erect flower spikes; the plant may grow from 30 to 100 cm (about 12 to 40 inches) high. It is native to Europe and has been introduced into other north temperate areas for forage or erosion control. In cultivated land, it is considered a weed because of its persistence. Quack grass has long, yellowish-white rhizomes, which must be completely dug up to eradicate the plant because broken rhizomes generate new plants. Quack grass has been used in various home remedies in Europe, and the rhizomes have been eaten during periods of famine.