Japanese Stiltgrass, Nepalese Browntop

[Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus]

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ close-up of young plant

▲ ▼ young plants

▲ ▼ adventitious roots from nodes of young plant

▲ leaf collar region, showing long, stiff hairs

▲ leaf blade with shiny, wide midstripe

Japanese Stiltgrass, Nepalese Browntop:  (not in Weeds of the Great Plains nor Weeds of the Northeast)

·         summer annual, invasive grass from Asia, common in moist, sunny to moderately shady sites—frequently along streambanks in areas where it has invaded

·         has slender reddish-brown to green stems, with short, broad leaves (1/2” wide and3-5” long), resembling a miniature bamboo plant

·         leaves have iridescent or glossy “stripe” along midvein on top of leaf

·         readily roots at the nodes, and can send up new vertical shoots at rooted nodes

·         inflorescence is a slender tan spike

·         found in southeast and southern Missouri in isolated locations, but also in northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma, so potential for further spread into southwest Missouri is great

·         can replace native riparian vegetation along streambanks, altering habitats