Japanese stiltgrass
Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Microstegium vimineum is a delicate, sprawling, annual grass that is 0.5-3.5 ft. (0.2-1.1 m) in height. The stems can root at the nodes.
- Foliage
- The leaves are pale-green, alternate, lance-shaped, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long, asymmetrical with a shiny, off-center midrib. Upper and lower leaf surface is slightly pubescent. A silvery line runs down the center of the blade. Stems usually droop.
- Flowers
- Flowering begins in September, when delicate flower stalks develop in the axils of the leaves or at the top of the stems.
- Fruit
- Fruit is produced from late September through early October.
- Ecological Threat
- Most commonly a invader of forested floodplains, Microstegium vimineum is also found in ditches, forest edges, fields, and trails. It is very shade tolerant and can completely displace native vegetation. It is native to Asia and was accidentally introduced into North America sometime around 1920. It has previously been used as packing material for porcelain, possibly explaining its accidental introduction.
Resources
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Images from Invasive.org
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Plant(s) immature plant in June
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
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James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
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Infestation Dead along river
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Infestation Along road.
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
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Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
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Root(s) Roots grown in greenhouse, this doesn't reflect a typical root system
Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org
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Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org
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Foliage Close-up of foliage
David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Infestation Infestation along old logging road, mixed with Chinese lespedeza
Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
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Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Misc. Publ. No. 200. Washington, DC.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage