Microstegium vimineum
Japanese stiltgrass
(also known as annual jewgrass, Asian stilt grass, bamboo grass, Chinese packing grass , flexible sesagrass, Japanese grass, Mary's grass, Nepal grass, Nepal microstegium, Nepalese browntop, Vietnamese stilt grass)
Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus
Synonyms
Andropogon vimineum Trin.
Eulalia viminea (Trin.) Kuntze
Remarks
- Moss, Flora of Alberta – No
- [1] Global Invasive Species Database – Yes
- [2]NatureServe I-Rank – High/Medium
- AB Weed Act status – No
- "...an annual grass native to Asia. It grows quickly, produces abundant seed and easily invades habitats that have been disturbed by natural and anthropogenic sources. Microstegium vimineum occupies riparian habitats, lawns, woodland thickets, damp fields and roadside ditches. It is usually found under moderate to dense shade in moist conditions, but it does not persist in areas with periodic standing water, or in full sunlight. The coldest winter temperature at which invasive populations occur is approximately -21° to -23° C. It occurs in soils of average potassium and phosphorus levels but high in nitrogen. Soil acidity, however, may limit nutrient availability. It spreads by rooting at nodes along the stem, and fruits and seeds disperse by water and on animals. Also, fruits have been transported on vehicles, and in hay and soil..."
"...occurs from New York to Illinois south to Florida and Texas. M. vimineum is slow to invade undisturbed vegetation but spreads quickly and forms dense monocultures in areas with natural or human-caused disturbance. It's habitats include stream banks, river bluffs, floodplains, emergent and forested wetlands, moist woodlands and forests, early successional fields, woodland thickets, and rights-of-way. M. vimineum grows very well under low light conditions such as under a forest canopy. M. vimineum can displace native vegetation in a few years and also impacts ground nesting birds. M. vimineum may also impact ecosystems by altering soil conditions. M. vimineum produces 100-1000 seeds per plant. Seeds remain viable in the soil for at least 3-5 years..."
[3]
Link to Wikipedia, Microstegium vimineum
- "...accidentally introduced into the U.S. state of Tennessee around 1919 due to its use as a packing material used to ship porcelain from China. It has spread throughout the Southeastern US and is now found in 26 states.[4] Microstegium most commonly invades along roads, floodplain and other disturbed areas, but will also invade undisturbed habitats.[5][6][7]..."
[4] Link to USDA Plants, Profile and map for Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus, Nepalese browntop