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Small Carpetgrass Arthraxon hispidus

Previously known as:

  • Arthraxon ciliaris
  • Phalaris hispida
Phonetic Spelling
ar-THRAX-on HIS-pid-us
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

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:
Tags:
#invasive#wetlands#high maintenance#stream banks#fast growing#fields#pond garden#annual grass#wet soils tolerant#grass#weed#sun
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#wetlands#high maintenance#stream banks#fast growing#fields#pond garden#annual grass#wet soils tolerant#grass#weed#sun
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Arthraxon
    Species:
    hispidus
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
    Distribution:
    Eastern and mid-west USA
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds are yellowish in color and 4mm long
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy