Distribution and biology of crested dog’s-tail in the UK

Crested dog’s-tail is a grass weed found throughout the UK. Find out how to identify and control it.

Crested dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) was formerly sown as a pasture plant. It remains green all winter, but in the summer the leaves die off.

It is a short, densely tufted perennial grass, wiry and upright. 5–75 cm tall. The leaf blades are narrow, fine and pointed. The flowerheads are densely packed with spikelets.

Crested dog’s-tail is generally a plant of lowland areas and its distribution is widespread throughout the British Isles. It is usually associated with pasture, meadow, or short swards but can be found in fallow.

It likes neutral to alkaline-rich well-drained soils of low- to mid-fertility.

• Seed weight: 0.5 mg
• Seeds/head: 1
• Seeds/plant: 1,100

It does not persist in regularly cultivated soils and can be controlled with hoeing and harrowing.

For advice on herbicides, please speak with your agronomist or adviser.

When was this information last updated?

This page is based on content from the encyclopaedia of arable weeds publication. Since it was first released in 2008, the publication has been redesigned several times but not revised. However, it remains a good foundation for general information on the distribution and biology of weeds.