Japanese Stiltgrass Look Alike
This was found next to in a patch of stiltgrass.
Japanese stiltgrass look alike. It has reddish stalks and slightly more narrow leaves. The native whitegrass leersia virginica is very similar in growth habit and site preferences but has two distinct differences from japanese stiltgrass. If this is indeed japanese stiltgrass hand pulling hand pulling is most effective if done before the plants go to seed. Fortunately japanese stiltgrass has a unique combination of characteristics that make field identification possible.
Is this japanese stiltgrass or a similar looking species. Details on japanese stiltgrass and look alike grasses. This publication gives simple descriptions and clear pictures of these characteristics along with details on how to distinguish several common look a like species. Look for asymmetrical leaves with a shiny midrib and the.
Since the plant is shallow rooted this should be relatively easy. Stiltgrass can look like several native grasses. Virginia cutgrass differs from japanese stiltgrass by its long leaves that can grow to 6 inches at least twice the length of stiltgrass leaves. Its flower spike is much larger up to 10 inches long and its stem has patches of dense white hair around each leaf base.
