Japanese Stiltgrass
Japanese stiltgrass spreads to form extensive mats that displace native plant species that are not able to compete with it. Invasions can also change soil nutrient cycling processes, inhibit tree survival and growth, and reduce light availability.
Common Name: Japanese stiltgrass
Scientific Name: Microstegium vimineum
Native Range: Asia
Background
Japanese stiltgrass can grow in a wide range of habitats including forest edges, riparian zones, ditches, fields, and forest understories, but it does prefer damp conditions. Once established, it can quickly spread and overtake native species.
Habitat
Japanese stiltgrass is especially adapted to low light conditions and will thrive in a wide range of habitats including woodlands, wetlands, fields, and roadsides.
NYS Distribution Map
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Identification
Japanese stiltgrass is an annual grass that sprawls along the ground as it grows. The leaves are pale green, narrow, and lance-shaped with a distinctive silvery stripe of hairs along the midrib. Tiny flowers are produced on slender stalks in late summer.
Impact
Japanese stiltgrass spreads to form extensive mats that displace native plant species that are not able to compete with it. Invasions can also change soil nutrient cycling processes, inhibit tree survival and growth, and reduce light availability. After it dies back in late fall, it forms a thick layer of smothering thatch that is slow to decompose and creates a fire hazard.
Prevention and Control
Hand pulling and herbicides are commonly used for control of this plant. Because hand pulling plants disturbs the soil and may expose stiltgrass seed from previous seasons, handpulling will need to be repeated for many seasons until the seed bank is exhausted.
