Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium Vimineum
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum also called nepalese browntop is an aggressive invader of forest lands throughout the eastern united states infestations can impact the diversity of native species reduce wildlife habitat and disrupt important ecosystem functions.
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is an invasive grass that threatens native plants and natural habitats in the eastern united states native to japan china central asia and india. Japanese stiltgrass also known as annual jewgrass bamboograss flexible sesagrass japanese grass mary s grass microstegium nepal microstegium or vietnamese grass is a summer annual commonly found in shady moist areas and is spreading rapidly in woodlands as well as shaded landscapes and low. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum. Initially documented in tennessee it is now found across most of the eastern united states and as far west as texas.
The culms are light green to reddish purple glabrous and terete. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is bright green with a distinctive silvery stripe of reflective hairs along the midrib of each narrow lance shaped blade the leaves are one to three inches long and alternately arranged on a branched stalk resembling a smaller more delicate version of bamboo. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is a widespread invader of woodlands. The plant was accidentally introduced into tennessee around 1919 as a result of being used as packing material for porcelain from china.
Japanese stilt grass is a summer annual weed that grows to 3 5 feet and can root at each node to make a new plant. 0 2 1 1 m in height. This grass is a summer annual that becomes 1 3 tall at maturity. Japanese stiltgrass is an annual grass native to temperate climates in southeastern asia.
2 5 7 6 cm long asymmetrical with a shiny off center midrib. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum grass family poaceae description. It has now spread to 26 states primarily the eastern and central states. Despite being non native in the united states it serves as a host plant for some native satyr butterflies such as the carolina satyr hermeuptychia sosybius and the endangered mitchell s.
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum identification and management. It was first reported in 1919 introduced as packing material for imported porcelain from china. Foliage the leaves are pale green alternate lance shaped 1 3 in. The stems can root at the nodes.
It was first introduced to north america when it was used as packing material in the 1900 s. Appearance microstegium vimineum is a delicate sprawling annual grass that is 0 5 3 5 ft.