Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Identify Grass Blades
How to Identify Grass Blades. If you inherit a lawn or see an unrecognizable grass variety growing in your landscape, you have the ability to identify its type by inspecting the blade. Grass blades have certain distinguishing features that can help you discover the plant's identity. This way, you will know if you have a grass-like weed or if the...
If you inherit a lawn or see an unrecognizable grass variety growing in your landscape, you have the ability to identify its type by inspecting the blade. Grass blades have certain distinguishing features that can help you discover the plant's identity. This way, you will know if you have a grass-like weed or if the plant is a more desirable grass variety that you want to take care of. Understand what to look for in the grass blade to successfully identify the grass plant.
Things You'll Need
Magnifying glass
Computer with Internet connection
Pick a new grass leaf blade, which grows from the center of the shoot, and roll it between your thumb and index finger to determine the vernation (leaf arrangement). If the blade spins easily, it has a rolled vernation, but if it is difficult to roll, it has a folded vernation.
Inspect the tip of a mature leaf blade and record whether it has a rounded or pointed shape. Further, look at the body of the grass blade and write down its form, such as whether the leaf is twisted or constricted at the base.
Look at the blade's ligule, which is the area where the leaf blade meets the sheath, to record how this appendage grows. If the grass blade has growth in this area, note whether the ligule is clear tissue or if it is composed of little hairs.
Check the surface of the grass blade. Record whether the leaf is smooth, hairy or has numerous horizontal indentations.
Point your browser to the Purdue University "Turfgrass Identification Tool" page to submit your notes (see Resources). Click on the pictures that match your findings and then click the "Next" button to continue. Click the "View Results" button, and then go through the results that automatically appear to identify your grass blade.
