Cogongrass Research Paper
WANTED
Dead not Alive:
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) has become a major problem for landowners, land managers, foresters, and governmental agencies since its introduction into Alabama. Known to many as japgrass, cogongrass was accidentally introduced into Alabama near Grand Bay about 1911 as seed in packing materials from Japan (4). Purposeful introductions soon followed in other areas of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, with the primary intent for forage production (1,4). Horticultural varieties of cogongrass continue to be sold under the name Japanese bloodgrass or Red Baron grass, although illegal in the state of Alabama. Infestations of this perennial grass from Asia forms exclusive colonies, displacing native vegetation with the …show more content…
Cogongrass rarely is found as a single plant but quickly forms patches or infestations, often circular in outline. Plants vary in height, even in the same patch from 1 to 4 ft. tall (1,5). Taller leaves will lean over in late summer. Leaves measure -1 inch in width and are commonly 12-30 inches long. They rarely have a lush green color; instead, they appear mostly yellowish green. A reddening of the leaves sometimes has been observed in the fall, and is correlated to extreme changes in temperature. The whitish upper midrib of a mature leaf is often not centered on the blade as with most grasses thus making identification somewhat easier. Also leaf margins are rough to the touch due to tiny saw-like serrations, which is a common trait of other grasses as well. It is this rough margin, which may cut the tongue of a grazing animal, along with a high silica content that make cogongrass a useless forage crop. The leaves appear to arise directly from the soil, giving the impression that the plant is stemless, but short stems are present. A few short hairs may arise at the node, or the place where the leaf arises from the stem, but otherwise the plant is
Dead not Alive:
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) has become a major problem for landowners, land managers, foresters, and governmental agencies since its introduction into Alabama. Known to many as japgrass, cogongrass was accidentally introduced into Alabama near Grand Bay about 1911 as seed in packing materials from Japan (4). Purposeful introductions soon followed in other areas of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, with the primary intent for forage production (1,4). Horticultural varieties of cogongrass continue to be sold under the name Japanese bloodgrass or Red Baron grass, although illegal in the state of Alabama. Infestations of this perennial grass from Asia forms exclusive colonies, displacing native vegetation with the …show more content…
Cogongrass rarely is found as a single plant but quickly forms patches or infestations, often circular in outline. Plants vary in height, even in the same patch from 1 to 4 ft. tall (1,5). Taller leaves will lean over in late summer. Leaves measure -1 inch in width and are commonly 12-30 inches long. They rarely have a lush green color; instead, they appear mostly yellowish green. A reddening of the leaves sometimes has been observed in the fall, and is correlated to extreme changes in temperature. The whitish upper midrib of a mature leaf is often not centered on the blade as with most grasses thus making identification somewhat easier. Also leaf margins are rough to the touch due to tiny saw-like serrations, which is a common trait of other grasses as well. It is this rough margin, which may cut the tongue of a grazing animal, along with a high silica content that make cogongrass a useless forage crop. The leaves appear to arise directly from the soil, giving the impression that the plant is stemless, but short stems are present. A few short hairs may arise at the node, or the place where the leaf arises from the stem, but otherwise the plant is