A weedy, native, non-rhizomatous perennial from 8-30 inches, usually less than 12 inches tall. It may grow in small bunches (D) or extensive colonies, particularly along trail edges (B). Stems are erect early in the season, but by fall many sprawl along the ground, often forming new roots at the nodes. Leaves are short (less than 4 inches long), narrow and smooth except for hairs near the junction of the leaf and stem. The flower cluster is a very slender, condensed panicle 2 1/2 – 9 inches long, its base sometimes partially included in the leaf sheath (A). A close-up view of the flower cluster (E) shows individual spikelets, each consisting of only a single floret with blunt, pale yellow anthers and deep purple stigmas. Each floret has a long awn projecting from the tip of the lemma.
Shady disturbed areas, trail edges, moist woods, roadsides, fields, lawns, gardens. In Fontenelle Forest Nimblewill is common along trail edges in Childs Hollow. It is common along the edges of upper Raccoon Hollow Trail at Neale Woods (B) and on Missouri River Ecology Trail near the bridge which crosses Rock Creek. Flowering is rather late occurring from August to October.
Nimblewill can be a very aggravating and hard-to-eradicate weed in lawns and gardens.
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