Goosegrass is a summer annual that grows as a compressed plant in turf with stems radiating outwards from a central, distinctive white center. It appears as a whitish silvery mat, forming a pale green clump with flattened stems in a low rosette. Leaf blades are folded along the midvein, are 2-14 inches long and 3-8 mm wide, and have little to no hair. Sheaths are flattened, whitish at the base, and sparsely hairy in the collar region. Short, stiff seedheads, composed of 2-13 spikes each, occur in clusters at the top of stems. Two rows of flattened spikelets occur along each spike. Each spikelet contains 3-6 light brown to black seeds that are 1-2 mm long. Goosegrass is normally found in compacted areas or areas of heavy wear; it can produce seed even when closely mowed. The distinctive white center of goosegrass distinguishes it from most other grass weeds.
