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Barnyardgrass is a summer annual with thick stems that may reach 5 feet in height. It is one of the few grass weeds in which ligules are absent. Leaves are without hairs, auricles and ligules, and the leaf sheaths are often red- or maroon-tinged at the base. The characteristic of absent ligule of barnyardgrass helps to distinguish this weed from most other grasses in both the seeding and mature stage of growth. Leaves range from 4 to 20 inches in length and stems are very erect and coarse, but when this weed is closely mowed in turf, it lies flat on the ground and spreads out, growing in a semi-circular pattern. The seedhead is branched and very conspicuous.