Burning Japanese Stiltgrass
From asia in the early 1900s.
Burning japanese stiltgrass. We ve been told that herbicides are the best way to get rid of it but we don t want to kill everything else in the yard. Even university extension bulletins that praise the use of chemical. Burning japanese stiltgrass is also a method practiced by many homeowners. 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.
Has a weak and shallow root system. Jason and tina in patterson new york a. 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. What should we do.
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum japanese stiltgrass is a non native annual grass that was introduced to the southeastern u s. It is highly invasive and is now found in much of the eastern u s. Our lawn is being invaded by japanese stilt grass.
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. We ve tried pulling it up by hand but can t seem to get it all. Mike mcgrath shares tips and tricks to getting rid of those pesky weeds in your lawn without all the fire and fury. However when you think about it it is a pyrotechnical method which does not guarantee 100 safety.
This past summer i attended a workshop given by nofa organic land care on the organic management of invasive plants in the landscape. This invasive grass is found in every southern indiana county including monroe county. This is why lawn professionals see it as a final option and not a typical method for optimal japanese stiltgrass control. Grows up to 2 ft.
Japanese stiltgrass may be driving you crazy but don t go for the torch just yet. This species requires land disturbance such as mowing grazing or burning to invade an area and once it is established it can dominate the plant community. Growth habit bright green grass has silver hairs down the center of its short bamboo like blade. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is a nasty invasive plant that is taking over huge tracks of our countryside it prefers semi shaded and shaded areas so it is has less other plants to deal with and is effortlessly replacing them all as the main woodland undergrowth.
