Louisiana Plant ID | Imperata cylindrica (cogon grass)

FAMILY: POACEAE

ALTERNATE COMMON NAME:

LEAVES: finely serrated; light green to orange-brown; 1/2 to 1 inch wide, 1 to 6 feet tall; prominent, off-center white mid-rib; originate directly from the ground

FLOWER: silvery-white; cylindrical flower/seedheads can be 2-8 inches long; late March to mid-June.

FRUIT: fluffy white, dandelion-like seeds

TWIGS:

FORM: aggressive, rhizomatous, perennial grass that grows in loose to dense bunches and forms circular patches

HABITAT: invades a wide range of non-cultivated habitats including rights-of-way, forests, pastures, orchards, and waste areas; thrives in full sun

WETLAND DESIGNATION:

RANGE: native to southeast Asia; established in the southeastern United States within the last fifty years, with Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida being most invaded

USES:

Best Recognition Features:

School of Renewable Natural Reources	Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours Dr. Chris S. Reid, Project Director \| creid4@lsu.edu LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA © 2003-2018 website problems or broken links: mbowen@agcenter.lsu.edu page revised: 26-Jun-2019 1:12 PM msb	LSU AgCenter
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