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Japanese Stiltgrass - Microstegium viminieum

microstegium, Japanese Stiltgrass
Japanese Stiltgrass
© Barry Rice

Japanese Stiltgrass occurs statewide. It is on the worst pest list for all of The Nature Conservancy's North Carolina regional offices.

 

This Asian grass thrives in moist places and spreads very rapidly along streams, trails, and roadsides. It looks like a dense, green rug overlaying native herbs and tree seedlings which simply disappear along with the wild species that depend on them.  Seeds can survive in the soil for many years.

 

Segmented stems grow 1 to 3 feet long in late summer, bending toward the ground and forming a continuous mat. Leaves are 1 to 3 inches long, pointed at both ends. They alternate up the stems. Flowers are narrow spikelets at the end of the stems. In late September and early October, the spikelets contain seeds along their length. Remove plants before they set seed. Roots are shallow.