Creek Grass Arthraxon hispidus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Arthraxon ciliaris
- Phalaris hispida
- Phonetic Spelling
- ar-THRAX-on HIS-pid-us
- Description
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Small carpetgrass is an invasive annual to perennial grass in the Poaceae family native to Asia. It is thought it was accidentally introduced to the USA in the early 1900s. It spreads quickly and forms dense colonies in riparian areas, around ponds and lakes, in wet meadows, or any open, moist disturbed area. It is now found in 25 states in the east and midwest From New England south to FL and west to TX. In NC it is found in all areas but is most problematic in the Piedmont.
The grass prefers moist soil in sunny conditions and grows to 18 inches tall. It spreads by producing large amounts of seeds and also roots at nodes to spread vegetatively. The 1-3-inch long green leaves have heart-shaped bases and clasp the stem. The green to purple flowers appear in late summer on branching stems in 1-3 inch long spikes. Fruit is a caryopsis with many seeds.
Control of small areas is best done by hand pulling prior to flowering and mowing. Larger infestations respond to glyphosate-based products.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weedy and invasive. See native alternatives to the left.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arthraxon
- Species:
- hispidus
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Distribution:
- Eastern and mid-west USA
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are yellowish in color and 4mm long
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers late summer to fall on branched stems and leaf axils on spikes. Spikelets are pale green to purplish.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are 1-3 inches long with heart-shaped base that clasps the stem. The tip is pointed and there are sparse to many white hairs along the margins and stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Round green sometimes with red stems are erect to semi-erect with white hairs
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
