Dactyloctenium aegyptium
Durban crowfoot, Durban Crowfoot
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (Durban crowfoot) is a non-native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by African grass, only Dactyloctenium naturalized in California, warm-season annual/perennial.
Durban crowfoot is a naturalized perennial herb found in southern San Joaquin Valley (Kern County), southern California coastal areas, Peninsular Ranges, and the Desert Southwest at elevations below 300 meters in disturbed places. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces small spikelets with pale green to tan flower clusters. Growing with spreading stems 10 to 35 centimeters tall that root at lower nodes, it forms dense ground-covering patches. Its leaves are narrow, 2 to 8 millimeters wide, with margins edged in distinctive bulbous-based hairs and reaching 5 to 20 centimeters in length. Its characteristic spike-like branches typically appear in clusters of 2 to 5, each branch 1 to 6 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: African grass, only Dactyloctenium naturalized in California, warm-season annual/perennial
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Ventura, Alameda, Stanislaus, Monterey, Santa Cruz
Outside California: southern and eastern United States, worldwide in warmer areas, native to Africa
Bloom period
Dactyloctenium aegyptium blooms Jul-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Eleusine: Crowfoot grass spikes extend beyond spikelets as bare points; goose grass spikes end at last spikelet.; vs Cynodon: Crowfoot grass has spikes extending beyond spikelets; bermuda grass spikes end at last spikelet.; vs Chloris: Crowfoot grass has thick spikes extending as points; windmill grass has multiple slender branches per node.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dactyloctenium aegyptium native to California?
No. Dactyloctenium aegyptium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Dactyloctenium aegyptium bloom?
Dactyloctenium aegyptium blooms Jul-Nov.
Where in California does Dactyloctenium aegyptium grow?
Dactyloctenium aegyptium occurs in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Ventura, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Dactyloctenium aegyptium belong to?
Dactyloctenium aegyptium is in the Poaceae family, genus Dactyloctenium.
What habitat does Dactyloctenium aegyptium grow in?
Dactyloctenium aegyptium grows in Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.