Japanese Stiltgrass - Microstegium vimineum

Japanese stiltgrass, also called Nepalese browntop, is a delicate, sprawling, annual grass that is1/2 to 3 feet in height (BROKEN-LINK Miller 2003). Alternate leaves are short, flat, and lance-shaped and are pale green with off-center veins. Stems are often multi-branched. Flowers are in delicate spikes that emerge from slender tips. Seeds are prolific and can persist into winter.

Nepalese browntop is native to Asia and was accidentally introduced into America sometime around 1920. It has previously been used as packing material for porcelain, possibly explaining its accidental introduction (Swearingen et al. 2002). It has little current use and is not intentionally planted. It is found throughout the southern Appalachians along streams at lower elevations. Most commonly an invader of forested floodplains, Nepalese browntop is also found in ditches, forest edges, fields, and trails. It is dispersed chiefly by flood waters, but can be dispersed by animals on their fur and hikers clothes (BROKEN-LINK Miller 2003). It is a prolific seeder, producing 100-1000 seeds per plant. It is very shade tolerant and can displace vegetation native to floodplains. Heavy infestations can displace native vegetation. For more information and control recommendations please click here.