Cogongrass in Arkansas

Cogongrass, Imperata cylindrical (L.) P. Beauv., is often categorized as one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world and is perhaps the worst potential invader on our borders. Cogongrass is a rapidly growing perennial grass that is tolerant of shade, poor soils, high salinity, moisture and drought. Cogongrass can invade pastures, natural or planted forests, riparian areas, highway rights-of-way, urban areas, and wetlands. It is native to Southeast Asia and was introduced into the U.S. in 1911 near Mobile, Alabama, as packing material in shipping containers.

	What is cogongrass? Cogongrass is often categorized as one of the top ten worst weeds in the world Cogongrass is a rapidly growing perennial grass that is tolerant of a wide range of site conditions Cogongrass invades pastures, natural or planted forests, riparian areas, highway rights-of-way, urban areas and wetlands Cogongrass is native to Southeast Asia Cogongrass was introduced into the U.S. in 1911 near Mobile, Alabama, as packing material in shipping containers Image: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org Learn more about cogongrass and the problems it creates

	What does cogongrass look like? Cogongrass has a prominent whitish main leaf vein that is offset to one side of the leaf, especially toward the tip Leaves are often yellowish-green Cylindrical fluffy seed head 2 – 8 inches long Overlapping leaves arising from the base of the plant Sharply pointed rhizomes covered in flaky scales Image: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org Learn to identify cogongrass

	Who spreads cogongrass? Cogongrass spreads naturally via fluffy windblown seeds Cogongrass seeds are spread by automobiles and agricultural equipment Cogongrass spreads through ornamental plant trade in some places Cogongrass spreads via rhizome fragments imbedded in soil carried by agricultural equipment Image: Wilson Faircloth, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

	How will cogongrass affect you? Dense cogongrass stands hinder tree planting Cogongrass reduces tree seedling survival Cogongrass creates a fire hazard in forests Cogongrass degrades the quality of our wildlife habitat Image: Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Find out how cogongrass will impact you

	What can we do about cogongrass? Dense cogongrass stands hinder tree planting Cogongrass reduces tree seedling survival Cogongrass creates a fire hazard in forests Cogongrass degrades the quality of our wildlife habitat Image: Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Learn what you can do to stop cogongrass

	Where is cogongrass? Currently, cogongrass infests over 1 million acres (400,000 ha) in the Southeast Cogongrass has not been reported in the wild in Arkansas, yet Cogongrass has been reported in western Mississippi Horticultural forms of cogongrass have been found in Arkansas Horticultural forms of cogongrass eventually revert to the wild form and escape into the wild Map: Cogongrass.org Find out how close cogongrass is to YOU