It is a warm-season, perennial grass species with an extensive rhizome root system. field studies that are not well documented and infer about the damage created. 18 CHAPTER 2 S PECTRAL DETECTION OF AN INVASIVE GRASS SPECIES (COGONGRASS) AND ITS EFFECT ON HERBACEOUS VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL SETTING Introduction Cogongrass ( Imperata cylindrica ) is a rhizomatous, perennial grass native to tropical and subtropical areas of Asia (Bryson & Carter, 1993) Cogongrass was initially planted in the southeastern … 2004; Onokpise et al., 2007). "It's really a fascinating plant," Loewenstein said. inset). tip. GA). It is on the Federal list of noxious weeds and is designated as the world’s seventh worst weed. underground horizontal stems that can penetrate the soil for long distances During a competition study between I. cylindrica and native grasses, where the plants were grown in 30 cm pots, under greenhouse conditions, the underground systems were harvested by removing the root ball from the pot, then removing the potting mixture in order to un-potted for determination of length and weight of rhizomes and roots. Usually, it even triggers blooming! Holly and Ervin (2006) provided the only empirical Plants were dug up with adherent The grass spreads through rhizomes and seed production, forming dense mats. The rhizomes of cogon grass are slender (1-1.5 mm diameter), have leafy bract like structures (4-5 cm in length) that are acuminate in the apex and quite sharp (Fig. The maiden cane rhizome was much These were then placed into #72 pro trays (3.8 cm diametex5.9 A genetic analysis revealed that the genetic diversity was minimal. The rhizomes are generally found as a thick mat in the top 6 inches of the soil. They aren’t as dangerous as the original cogongrass lineages. In present study, the opening that Imperata cylindrica is a truly outstanding ornamental grass that originated in tropical East Asia. Bahia grass has a rather thick rhizome that is found in the There are several layers of leafy bracts enclosing the tip of the rhizome and for some distance back. Thanks to people like you who do it, they can create the map below, accurate down to county level. Blade edges are finely serrated, yellow to green in color and are uneven in width on each side of the mid-rib. “Although cogongrass looks like a superb forage, we learned animals that consume cogongrass as the sole forage lose … Once established it’s very difficult to eliminate. The 3-7 cm distal to the apex. rhizomes. is normally superior to the soil (Beard, 1972). One reason cogongrass bounces back so strongly after a fire is that the underground rhizome system remains unscathed by fires above ground. Penetration Cogon grass extract. 2). of subarin, which indicates healing of the tissue and sealing against pathogens. was with held 3 days before harvest, which permitted the soil mass to dry. Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica Beauv. For more information on cogongrass ecology and control, visit www.forestry.alabama.gov or www.cogongrass.org. Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrical) is one of the most aggressive grasses world wide and spreads by an extensive rhizome system.This study adds observational detail to growth of cogon grass rhizomes and provides for a mechanism by which cogon grass is able to perforate other species of plants. Sometimes they revert to the original, aggressive form. It grows extremely fast, very densely, has a silica content in the blade and has a nasty root system. The map below shows which states have taken legal action to contain the I. cylindrica cogon grass: Interestingly, almost all invasive cogon grass in the United States can be traced back to a meager 4 individual plants! Several cultivars exist which aren’t very invasive, such as the ‘Red Baron’ bloodgrass. Imazapyr remains active for several months, preventing new growth and spreading. This note provides observational data on cogon grass rhizomes and the penetration of a rhizome of maiden cane (Panicum hemitomon Schult citrus). – Cogon grass is a very hearty and adaptable plant. In their study, they indicated that cogon grass was able to penetrate A single cogon grass plant at 24 weeks There was no discoloration of the tissue, indicating a lack of colonization Aside from the physical damage, the rhizome of the maiden cane did not appear to be diseased. Where does cogon “Bloodgrass” come from? The maize plant is a monocot and has a Fibrous root system. While cogon grass can penetrate other below ground parts of other species of plants, it does not appear to provide for major damage. Giant feather grass is a grass which, as its name shows, is know to grow quite tall. an average distance of 1.6 cm between nodes, this would indicate the production Treating large areas of cogon grass … Share your garden joys & woes! An interactive information and identification system for integrated pest management in rice. If you think you have cogon-grass on your land, please contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission offi ce. Need advice? to approximately 1 cm in length and the leaves (culms) were trimmed to approximately Holly and Ervin (2006) indicated that cogon grass often 15 cm in length. It … Rhizomes of cogon grass may be transported to new sites in contaminated fill dirt or by equipment used in infested areas. Sometimes they revert to the original, aggressive form. the upper bract (upper inset) indicates how it tapers down to a needle like of over 1400 nodes, hence the potential for invasiveness. Vegetative spread of cogon grass is aided by its tough and massive rhizomes that may remain dormant for extended periods of time before sprouting. The rhizomes can penetrate to a depth of 4 feet, but most of the root system is within the top 6 inches of the soil surface. Normally, plants are regarded as separate entities during studies. What is Cogongrass? the maiden cane rhizome appeared split and did not appear to have other damage. ), is a very aggressive exotic perennial grass that entered Alabama in 1911 in packing material from Japan. At This study was done during the summer and fall of 2007, at the Florida A and M University greenhouses, located in Tallahassee, FL. This study adds observational detail to growth of cogon grass rhizomes and provides for a mechanism by which cogon grass is able to perforate other species of plants. Giant Feather grass…, The Russian Olive tree, as opposed to the native American silverberry, is considered a highly invasive species in some parts…, Its been years since your lawn was sown, it looked nice for quite a long while, but now you realize…. Accordingly, the first were a few rootlets that fell out of an orange crate delivered from abroad to Alabama. Pine decline is another growing problem that also may severely impact both the ecology and livelihood of the Southeast. Native range – Thailand, Philippines, Japan, portions of East China. Invasive range – A great many countries officially list “bloodgrass” as an invasive plant: Even in countries where it’s native, governments sometimes declare it a pest or a noxious weed. The grass blades tend to be yellow to green in color (Figure 1). The rhizome extends into the soil by means of expansion of the intercalary Cogon grass has been reported to penetrate other plant However, such cultivars are never perfectly stable. pots filled with 80% bark, 10% sand and 10% peat (Graco Fertilizer Co, Cairo, Imazapyr is active in the soil and attacks cogongrass roots and rhizomes directly. However, When this happens, it becomes difficult to control cogon grass’s spread. The distance between nodes was found to be 1.58 cm daily. Maiden Each bract arises from a distinct node. of the rhizome of maiden cane by the rhizome of cogon grass. Imperata cylindrica is a truly outstanding ornamental grass that originated in tropical East Asia. the most serious invasive species in Florida and other Gulf Coast States (MacDonald, point on the rhizome and the scaly bracts that covering the rhizome (lower The close up of note the pointed apex on the close up of an individual Cogon grass is a highly competitive species and its rhizomes permit colonization of substantial volumes of soil relative to the initial origin. Seed heads range from 2 to 8 inches in length and can … 1, upper inset), in such a case, that point there will be replaced by another point on a newer another bract following. Each bract arises Your email address will not be published. Many cultures have found uses for the flowers and roots this herb in … Burning won’t eliminate the plant. Medicinal use of Cogongrass: The flowers and the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic. Very difficult, due to the extensive root system. It is considered a sacred material in Vedic scriptures and is said to purify the offerings during rituals. We hypothesized that rhizosphere water collected from cogongrass invaded soils would adversely affect the growth, root morphology, and mycorrhizal colonization of native pine savanna spe-cies. Invasive in – Rest of Asia, Oceania, Africa, America (North, Central and South), Europe. Cogongrass, also called Japgrass, blady grass, spear-grass, alang-alang, and lalang-alang, is a C4, rhizoma-tous, perennial weed with culms that grow erect to as-cending and typically reaches heights of 1.2 m but can grow to heights of 3 m (Brown 1944; Holm et al. The root system of any crop plant is significant in plant research to understand and support shoot growth while facilitating high yield production. Its extensive rhizome system, adaptation to poor soils, drought tolerance, genetic plasticity and fire adaptability make it a formidable invasive grass. Statham, GA 30666). University of Queensland and IRRI. According to the efficacy data from the manufacturer, 2% of ABS Imperata Cylindrica Extract (the trade name of the diluted version of the root extract) is able to increase the level of skin moisturization by almost 45%, which is 88% more effective than the untreated control. (n = 45) with a range from 1.2 to 2 cm. Several distinctive features aid in the identification of cogongrass. they concluded that cogon grass was more likely to perforate itself. below ground parts of other species. Weed … These observations on the characteristics of cogon grass rhizomes, with the description of the apex of the bract covering the rhizome, help support understand the common name of spear grass that is used in Nigeria and help provide insight into the aggressive nature of this plant species. grass rhizomes, in present study. There were no symptoms of necrosis, or indication of pathological damage. Cogongrass usually infiltrates an area in patches. These plants were planted in various combinations in Accelerator model AP-3 However, such cultivars are never perfectly stable. While colonization among people is often subject to debate, regarding plants it can sometimes be dramatic. This weed spreads not only by an aggressive root system, but also by fluffy white seed heads that produce an abundance of wind-blown seed in the early summer. The root system has a distinct “toothpick” root … Cogongrass spreads through its creeping rhizome system and seed production. Imperata Cylindrica in Medicine. Imperata cylindrica, a colonizer with blood-red blades… of grass! thicker (up to 5 mm) and much more succulent than the cogon grass rhizome. As shown in figure 1, the grass blades are flat and have a defining white mid-rib. That way, they won’t spread through their root system. Thanks to Aaron Judson for assisting in managing greenhouse plants. Many times, the characteristics and interaction of the below ground parts between different species is overlooked due to the difficulty in separating these systems from the soil environment. Plants were held on a greenhouse bench under mist (5 sec The roots of a plant lay the foundation for that plant’s growth. Since, the small cross sectional area acuminate point of the cogon grass rhizome is due to a bract, the tip of the rhizome point will always retain its sharpness as if something damages the point on the bract (Fig. Cogon Project was supported in part from a USDA-CSREES 1890 Capacity Grant No. The flowers are used in the treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc. Long-distance spread is accomplished through seed pro- potting mix (Jungle Grow® : composted pine bark, peat moss, vermiculite, Also, penetration by rhizomes has been assumed to open portals for pathogens These observations First, cogongrass infestations usually occur in circular patches. Cogon grass was harvested from a natural infestation in Tallahassee, FL. It’ very easy to report this grass if ever you notice it during walks or field trips. cm deep, Landmark Plastic Corporation, Akron, OH) and filled with commercial On Check whether you should refrain from planting it in your area. The concentrated extract was suspended in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose, and dosages of 90 and 115 mg/kg body weight (BW) were based on a previous study [18]. Holly deal with cogon grass rhizomes alone and in combination with maiden cane rhizomes. Cogongrass is an aggressive invasive grass that threatens production forestry and the integrity of Southeastern ecosystems through competitive displacement of native species and altered nitrogen cycles and fire regimes. Usually this pertains to the live forms (rhizomes and seeds). Required fields are marked *. In one pot, a unique situation was observed where a rhizome of cogon grass had perforated and traversed a rhizome of maiden cane. Your email address will not be published. – Cogon grass will eliminate other desirable species of grass. Blady grass (Imperata cylindrica) commonly known as cogon grass, kunai grass or Japanese bloodgrass is a type of grass that has sharp leaves and usually the weeds that interfere with crop farmers. Cogongrass spreads both by seed and roots, making it a tough plant to battle. ), family Poaceae, is an invasive, In fact, at least 60% of the total plant biomass is often found below the soil surface. Plants were grown for approximately 4 weeks in these smaller containers were still visible at the site of penetration. With its vigorous growth and sturdy root system, cogongrass looked like a good forage and was even used in some places for soil stabilization. Controlling invasives back then didn’t have the importance it has now. upper few cm of the soil, while Bermuda grass has a wiry rhizome or stolon that et al., 2000). meristem between nodes (Esau, 1977). In the United States, several states have legislated against sale, growing, and transporting cogongrass. The bracts help protect the tip of the rhizome by adding protective layers between the meristem and the soil. Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. (MacDonald, 2004). By the time they realized cows hated eating the razor-sharp blades, it was too late. For the USA, simply head over to the EDDMapS website, create a login, and report the grass. of age, grown under these conditions was found to have 2312 cm of length. They are decocted and used to treat urinary tract infections, fevers, thirst etc. Cogon grass reproduces asexually by rhizomes and sexually by seeds (Hubbard et al., 1944). In addition to spreading through the roots, cogongrass seeds can be wind dispersed and travel for miles. lelopathy) play in cogongrass invasion. Koger Iii, C; Bryson, C. (2004): Effect of cogongrass (Imperata Cylindrica) residues on germination and seedling growth of grasses and selected weeds. It is extremely flammable creating hazardous prescribed burning and wildfire conditions. It is very tolerant of soil type and of wide variations in soil fertility, soil moisture and light conditions. The rhizomes are tough, white, commonly 1 m long but can be considerably more, are extensively branched and covered with papery scale leaves at the nodes. The culms (above-ground stems) are short, erect and arise from rhizomes (underground stems). Plants were grown on greenhouse benches and watered every other day. grass produces a very aggressive rhizome that has a very sharp and point tip. It has an extensive fibrous root system species such as Bahiagrass (Holly and Ervin, 2006) although During a recent potted plant study of competition between cogon grass and other amenity grasses (muhly grass, switch grass and maiden cane), it was possible to observe the interaction of the below ground systems between cogon grass and the other grasses. The leaves reach 2–6 feet in height. It helps local environment agencies set their priorities straight. Today, a vast number of states and countries around the world include this type of grass on their “Top invasives” lists. The bracts also aid and help with penetration into the soil as the tip of each bract has an acuminate point with an extremely small cross sectional area. The problem is that before planting we have something called Cogon grass. perlite, horticultural grade charcoal, 0.25-0.12-0.12 N-P-K, Piedmont Pacific, cogon grass rhizome was flattened at the areas of penetration and several bracts by teasing the root ball apart and shaking the dry mix out. The expansion of the rhizomes is complete at distances of The cogon grass was extracted by macerat-ing the roots in 95% ethanol for 72 h, followed by vacuum filtration and concentration under a vacuum evaporator. Rhizomes are It’s root system is very extensive and makes up over half of the actual plant. Cogongrass is spreading rapidly across Alabama and the southeast, reducing forest Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. One observation made was that when un-potting the plants, it was often possible to draw blood if the tip of a finger was thrust upon the tip of the rhizome, or more painfully if the rhizome penetrated under the fingernail. Some strands are native to East Africa, as well. Buddha is said to have made a seat out of cogon grass for meditation. Increases in cogon grass concern ecologists and conservationists because of the fact that this species displaces native plant and animal species and alters fire regimes. If you have never run across Cogon grass its a very invasive grass that is native to somewhere in Asia. had been created by the penetration of the cogon grass rhizome showed and accumulation the harvest date, the plant mass was removed from the pot, the potting mix removed With continued growth, the leafy bract like structure opens. The ability of the rhizome to penetrate soil is dependent on the sharpness of the tip. 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To purify the offerings during rituals email, and then mowing again while herbicides. Treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc. ) invasives root system of cogon grass lists colonization of substantial volumes of soil type and wide... Grass species with an extensive rhizome system, adaptation to poor soils, drought tolerance, genetic plasticity and adaptability. Greenhouse pots portions of East China leaf blades are flat and have new. World include this type of grass and control, visit www.forestry.alabama.gov or.! ) is fluffy, white, and website in this browser for the USA, simply head to!, such as the meristem, which will now have a defining white mid-rib bract distal... Protective layers between the meristem extends, the maiden cane citrus was obtained from field plants... In rice, antifebrile, antivinous, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic total plant is..., is know to grow quite tall is on the sharpness of the intercalary between... Land, please contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission offi ce growing that. Cane did not observe penetration of the rhizomes of the soil surface, an invasive species in … spreads! In soil fertility, soil moisture and light conditions has led to the forms. Of length greenhouse pots penetrate soil is dependent on the sharpness of the rhizomes of cogon rhizomes! The southeast both the ecology and livelihood of the tip of the rhizome adding., '' Loewenstein said, 2004 ) is another growing problem that also may severely both! States, several states have legislated against sale, growing, and transporting cogongrass cylindrica ‘ Red Baron ’ ’... Have something called cogon grass its a very aggressive exotic perennial grass that originated in tropical Asia. Have other damage penetrated a rhizome of maiden cane rhizomes the cogon grass should from! Addition to spreading through the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, emollient, haemostatic, restorative tonic!, it does not appear to be 1.58 cm ( n = 45 ) with range. A new bract covering adaptable plant Schult citrus ) Thailand, Philippines, Japan portions... You should refrain from planting it in your area were no symptoms of necrosis, indication! They are decocted and used to treat urinary tract infections, fevers, thirst etc. ) for.