Grasses

Nonnative grasses spread along highway rights-of-way and then into adjoining forest lands. Most nonnative grasses are highly flammable and increase fire intensity. Intense fires tend to kill plants with which the grasses occur and thus facilitate the spread of the grasses after wildfire or prescribed burns. Wildland firefighters and forest home sites are subjected to increased risks where nonnative grasses form heavy infestations. Repeated applications of herbicides are required for control.

Focusing on grass species, this section covers three exotics invading southern forests, including cogongrass, Nepalese browntop, and Chinese silvergrass.