Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium Vimineum
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum.
Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum. Japanese stilt grass is a summer annual weed that grows to 3 5 feet and can root at each node to make a new plant. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum grass family poaceae description. 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 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.
The culms are light green to reddish purple glabrous and terete. 0 2 1 1 m in height. Japanese stiltgrass also known as annual jewgrass bamboograss flexible sesagrass japanese grass mary s grass microstegium nepal microstegium or vietnamese grass is a summer annual commonly found in shady moist areas and is spreading rapidly in woodlands as well as shaded landscapes and low. 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.
The stems can root at the nodes. 2 5 7 6 cm long asymmetrical with a shiny off center midrib. It has now spread to 26 states primarily the eastern and central states. The plant was accidentally introduced into tennessee around 1919 as a result of being used as packing material for porcelain from china.
Despite being non native in the united states it serves as a host plant for some native satyr butterflies such as the carolina satyr hermeuptychia sosybius and the endangered mitchell s. The culms are branched and decumbent below while above they are mostly unbranched and more or less erect. Initially documented in tennessee it is now found across most of the eastern united states and as far west as texas. Appearance microstegium vimineum is a delicate sprawling annual grass that is 0 5 3 5 ft.
It was first introduced to north america when it was used as packing material in the 1900 s. Microstegium vimineum commonly known as japanese stiltgrass packing grass or nepalese browntop is an annual grass that is common in a wide variety of habitats and is well adapted to low light levels. It was first reported in 1919 introduced as packing material for imported porcelain from china. Japanese stiltgrass microstegium vimineum is a widespread invader of woodlands.
Foliage the leaves are pale green alternate lance shaped 1 3 in. Japanese stiltgrass is an annual grass native to temperate climates in southeastern asia.
