Monday, November 6, 2017

Invasive Grass of Concern

Cogongrass

The folk at the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services asked us to spread the word about this noxious weed. The weed scientists at NCDA&CS are very concerned about Cogongrass entering our mountain ecosystem.

http://www.ncagr.gov/PLANTINDUSTRY/Plant/weed/Cogongrass.htm

If you suspect that you have found an infestation please contact the NCDA Weed Specialist Bridget Lassiter at (919) 707-3749.

This is an interesting grass as one form was sold as an ornamental grass back in the early '90s under the name Japanese Bloodgrass  Imperata cylindrica " Red Baron".   Some of you may have been misinformed as I was,  and used it in landscapes or sold it in your garden centers, with the impression that it was a sterile form of the species.  I seem to recall that it did not appear to overwinter very well here in the mountains- but then some of those winters were colder than we have experienced lately.   Unfortunately,  in some climatic conditions it becomes a noxious weed.  

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.