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Smooth crabgrass is a tufted, spreading summer annual plant with a fibrous root system. When unmowed, it will grow to a height of 6 inches, but it will tolerate mowing in turf at 1/4 inch and will still produce seed at this height. Stems are prostrate or lying on the ground with tips ascending up to 24 inches long, branching at lower nodes but not rooting. Leaves are smooth on both surfaces, with few hairs at the collar. Crabgrass often forms patches in lawns, and plants can grow together to form large clumps. The ligule is small and inconspicuous without prominent auricles. The seedhead has 2 to 6 branches.