Conservation Corner: July 22, 2002

Mississippi Home To "Seventh Worst Weed In The World"
by James L. Cummins

Cogongrass is considered "the seventh worst weed in the world" and occurs on seven continents and in 35 countries.

According to Randy Browning, a biologist with Wildlife Mississippi and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "Cogongrass, commonly called japgrass, is an invasive perennial grass that produces dense stands that can reach heights of four feet. Cogongrass was introduced accidently into Alabama in 1912 as packing material in shipments from Japan. In the early 1920s it was brought into several southern states as a potential forage crop. Although there is limited forage value when the grass is young, it quickly becomes unpalatable because of high silica concentrations in the leaves. Until recently, it was used for soil reclamation and soil stabilization. Cogongrass with red foliage is currently being sold in the United States as an ornamental. These cultivars known as Japanese blood grass, Red Baron or Rubra revert back to the green when planted in a warm environment."

Cogongrass has numerous attributes that contribute to its extremely invasive nature. This grass blooms early in the spring and each plant can produce up to 3,000 seeds. Seeds are very light and can be dispersed by the wind for a distance up to 15 miles. Cogongrass grows in a wide range of soils from rich sandy loams to poor sands. Although this alien species grows best in full sun, it thrives in deep shade and will persist during severe droughts or through periodic inundations.

Browning states that although cogongrass has a relatively high rate of natural spread, mechanical spread is accelerating the problem. Cogongrass can be spread great distances through contaminated hay, turf and nursery stock. Cogongrass is also spread across the county along highways, transmission and pipe line right?of?ways by transport of contaminated soil and equipment. Landowners and contractors also spread cogongrass across the landscape by movement of equipment that has been contaminated through normal management practices such as timber harvest and the construction and maintenance of food plots, roads and fire lanes. The range of cogongrass in Mississippi has increased at an alarming rate since its introduction and is currently reported in 43 of the 82 counties.

Infestations can have serious implications for forestry, agriculture and wildlife. Dense stands of this grass can cause stress on forests by competing for moisture and nutrients and by literally growing through the roots of trees and other vegetation. I have heard of one account where domestic goats starved to death in a pasture heavily infested with cogongrass. If cogongrass occurs on the land that you own or manage, intensive control measures should be implemented to retard the growth and spread of this noxious pest. Reduce the potential for spread by carefully cleaning any equipment that has become contaminated before transporting it to another field or location. Control and or eradication of cogongrass will only occur if there are concerted efforts made by all involved.

For more information on cogongrass, an online slide presentation is available at the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation's web site (www.wildlifemiss.org).

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.