Japanese Stiltgrass Wisconsin

Andropogon vimineum trin a.

Japanese stiltgrass wisconsin. Japanese stilt grass is one of those plants for wisconsin botanists and until this july japanese stilt grass hadn t been found in wisconsin said jason granberg a dnr invasive plant specialist. Looking like a small bamboo plant japanese stiltgrass prospers in most eastern states growing in sun or shade and preferring moist habitats. Japanese stilt grass microstegium vimineum annual grass that is generally 1 3 tall but will also spread in a mat like manner. Introduced to the united states around 1918 this annual asian exotic invasive likely arrived in packing material for fine porcelain destined for tennessee.

Vimineum was originally documented in tennessee in 1919 and is believed to have been accidentally introduced to the united states through its use as a packing material. Japanese stiltgrass s leaves come to a point at both ends and often have a silvery stripe or mid rib near the middle. It is native in much of south asia east asia and parts of southeast asia and has since moved to the united states. In 2020 japanese stiltgrass was found in wisconsin.

Japanese stilt grass can spread vegetatively by rooting at the nodes as well as by seed. The stems are hairless and branched with upward pointing tips. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum. Mehrhoff university of connecticut the michigan dnr announced that japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum an invasive plant originating in asia recently has been positively identified on private property in scio township near ann arbor in.

That changed on july 13 when amanda weise a botanist for the university of minnesota landscape arboretum was volunteering for dnr s rare plant. It typically grows to heights between 40 and 100 cm 1 3 and 3 3 ft and is capable of rooting at each node the plant flowers in late summer and produces its seeds in the form of a caryopsis. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum. Camus synonym microstegium imberbe nees ex steud tzvelev synonym microstegium willdenowianum nees synonym.

Japanese stilt grass japanese grass mary s grass nepalgrass basketgrass microstegium nepalese browntop chinese packing grass related scientific names. 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. To promote better stewardship of the natural resources of wisconsin by advancing the understanding of invasive plants preventing their introduction and encouraging the control of their spread our supporters. Photo courtesy leslie j.

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.