Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum

Japanese stiltgrass is a summer annual weed in the grass family (Poaceae) that invades disturbed and undisturbed woodlands. It is an invasive species in North Carolina. Originally from Pakistan to Japan, it was accidentally introduced into Tennessee around 1919 as a result of being used as packing material for porcelain from China. It has spread to 26 states, primarily the eastern and central United States. The epithet means "long, slender shoots."

Japanese stiltgrass can reach 3.5 feet tall and prefers partly shaded, moist growing conditions but is very adaptable to other conditions and most soils. It spreads by seeds and vegetatively. One plant can disperse 1,000 seeds, which remain viable in the soil for four years. Control methods include hand-pulling or digging (before the seeds form), repeated mowing, or applying herbicide. NC State Extension has the following useful publications: Japanese Stiltgrass Identification and Management and Japanese Stiltgrass.

It provides little to no food value to grazing or browsing animals. Few native insect herbivores feed on this plant, so there is no natural control to its spread. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Each leaf on stiltgrass has a silvery midvein that divides the leaf unevenly.
• The stem is light green to reddish-purple, glabrous and terete. 
• Lower stems are often raised off the ground by roots (the “stilts” in the common name)
• Lower stems are spreading while upper stems are more erect.
• Leaves are linear-elliptic in shape with entire margins. 
• Flowers can form fruits while covered by leaf sheaths.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. Consider native alternatives listed in the sidebar to the left.