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Cogongrass

Imperata cylindrica

Non-Native

Cogongrass Locations in Southeast US
Cogongrass Locations in North America
cogongrass


USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

What is Cogongrass?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Young leaves are light green
  • Turn orange-brown in color with age
  • Bunches vary in tightness
  • 1-4 feet long
  • 0.5 -0.75 inches wide
  • Grow from the ground
  • Noticeable white, off-center midrib
  • Edges are serrated

Fruit:

  • Fluffy
  • White

Seeds:

  • Found mostly in the spring
  • Very small
  • Attached to fluffy, white piece

Stem:

  • Leaves grow from rhizome
  • Spread from rhizomes
  • Rhizome can be up to 4 feet under ground
  • Most rhizomes stay within the top 6 inches of the soil

Where Does it Grow?

Non-Native

Cogongrass is native to Southeast Asia. It can be found along the side of roads and in ditches.

Is it Invasive?

Cogongrass  is non-native to the United States, and it can be an aggressive invader that can cover large portions of land. It tends to disrupt the ecosystem by pushing the native species out of their habitat.

This plant is not native to North America, but has naturalized in much of the United States. While it is not illegal to possess this plant in Texas, it should not be introduced into new water bodies and should be treated with herbicide when present.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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