cane citrus was obtained from field grown plants. Four patches of grass now endanger the entire environment of the American South-East! Cogon grass extract. Your email address will not be published. every 15 min) for 7 d and then moved to greenhouse benches where they were watered rhizomes and as little soil as possible. Flowering typically occurs in spring or after disturbance of the sward (mowing, etc.). were still visible at the site of penetration. Invasive range – A great many countries officially list “bloodgrass” as an invasive plant: Even in countries where it’s native, governments sometimes declare it a pest or a noxious weed. In present study, the opening that Controlling invasives back then didn’t have the importance it has now. ), family Poaceae, is an invasive, 1977; Hubbard 1944). The maize plant is a monocot and has a Fibrous root system. 3-7 cm distal to the apex. to approximately 1 cm in length and the leaves (culms) were trimmed to approximately Blady grass (Imperata cylindrica) commonly known as cogon grass, kunai grass or Japanese bloodgrass is a type of grass that has sharp leaves and usually the weeds that interfere with crop farmers. If you think you have cogon-grass on your land, please contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission offi ce. According to the efficacy data from the manufacturer, 2% of ABS Imperata Cylindrica Extract (the trade name of the diluted version of the root extract) is able to increase the level of skin moisturization by almost 45%, which is 88% more effective than the untreated control. rhizomatous, aggressive C4 perennial grass that has become one of “Although cogongrass looks like a superb forage, we learned animals that consume cogongrass as the sole forage lose … thicker (up to 5 mm) and much more succulent than the cogon grass rhizome. Usually this pertains to the live forms (rhizomes and seeds). potting mix (Jungle Grow® : composted pine bark, peat moss, vermiculite, dactylon L.). For more information on cogongrass ecology and control, visit www.forestry.alabama.gov or www.cogongrass.org. Weed … Invasive in – Rest of Asia, Oceania, Africa, America (North, Central and South), Europe. The expansion of the rhizomes is complete at distances of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. Imazapyr is active in the soil and attacks cogongrass roots and rhizomes directly. In addition to spreading through the roots, cogongrass seeds can be wind dispersed and travel for miles. While cogon grass can penetrate other below ground parts of other species of plants, it does not appear to provide for major damage. The flowers are used in the treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc. Cogongrass spreads through its creeping rhizome system and seed production. – Cogon grass is a very hearty and adaptable plant. the most serious invasive species in Florida and other Gulf Coast States (MacDonald, of age, grown under these conditions was found to have 2312 cm of length. Blade edges are finely serrated, yellow to green in color and are uneven in width on each side of the mid-rib. A brilliant way to still grow these plants is to plant them in pots. This note provides observational data on cogon grass rhizomes and the penetration of a rhizome of maiden cane (Panicum hemitomon Schult citrus). Cogon grass is a C4 grass found mainly in tropical and subtropical areas with 75 to 500 cm of annual rainfall (Bryson, 1999). tip. (n = 45) with a range from 1.2 to 2 cm. Normally, varieties like the Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ don’t go to seed easily. On of the rhizome of maiden cane by the rhizome of cogon grass. Holly and Ervin (2006) indicated that cogon grass often The map below shows which states have taken legal action to contain the I. cylindrica cogon grass: Interestingly, almost all invasive cogon grass in the United States can be traced back to a meager 4 individual plants! The seed head (Figure 3) is fluffy, white, and plume-like. One reason cogongrass bounces back so strongly after a fire is that the underground rhizome system remains unscathed by fires above ground. et al., 2000). We hypothesized that rhizosphere water collected from cogongrass invaded soils would adversely affect the growth, root morphology, and mycorrhizal colonization of native pine savanna spe-cies. Where does cogon “Bloodgrass” come from? had been created by the penetration of the cogon grass rhizome showed and accumulation It … evidence of the penetration of other below ground plant parts by cogon grass 2005-38814-16377. https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijb.2009.314.316, Rhizomes of cogon grass that grew outside of a pot. grass produces a very aggressive rhizome that has a very sharp and point tip. an average distance of 1.6 cm between nodes, this would indicate the production In the United States, several states have legislated against sale, growing, and transporting cogongrass. and Ervin (2006) indicated that most of the reports of perforation are from Usually, it even triggers blooming! A single cogon grass plant at 24 weeks The rhizomes are tough, white, commonly 1 m long but can be considerably more, are extensively branched and covered with papery scale leaves at the nodes. This study adds observational detail to growth of cogon grass rhizomes and provides for a mechanism by which cogon grass is able to perforate other species of plants. rhizomes. They aren’t as dangerous as the original cogongrass lineages. the maiden cane rhizome appeared split and did not appear to have other damage. (Beard, 1972; Esau, 1977). Many cultures have found uses for the flowers and roots this herb in … The rhizome extends into the soil by means of expansion of the intercalary In addition to the rhizome root system, cogongrass adapts to poor soil conditions, and its fires burn so hot that they eliminate nearly all native species. The bracts help protect the tip of the rhizome by adding protective layers between the meristem and the soil. Today, a vast number of states and countries around the world include this type of grass on their “Top invasives” lists. First, cogongrass infestations usually occur in circular patches. The acuminate 1, upper inset), in such a case, that point there will be replaced by another point on a newer another bract following. Individual leaf blades are flat and serrated, with an off-center prominent white midrib (Figure 2). Thanks to people like you who do it, they can create the map below, accurate down to county level. For the USA, simply head over to the EDDMapS website, create a login, and report the grass. before being transplanted into the greenhouse pots. This has led to the common name of spear grass in Nigeria (Chikoye rhizomes of Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon was with held 3 days before harvest, which permitted the soil mass to dry. In their study, they indicated that cogon grass was able to penetrate Burning won’t eliminate the plant. 2004; Onokpise et al., 2007). Cogon grass was harvested from a natural infestation in Tallahassee, FL. Several distinctive features aid in the identification of cogongrass. There were no symptoms of necrosis, or indication of pathological damage. the upper bract (upper inset) indicates how it tapers down to a needle like Each bract arises from a distinct node. Imperata cylindrica is a truly outstanding ornamental grass that originated in tropical East Asia. Holly lelopathy) play in cogongrass invasion. Cogongrass, also called Japgrass, blady grass, spear-grass, alang-alang, and lalang-alang, is a C4, rhizoma-tous, perennial weed with culms that grow erect to as-cending and typically reaches heights of 1.2 m but can grow to heights of 3 m (Brown 1944; Holm et al. In one pot, a unique situation was observed where a rhizome of cogon grass had perforated and traversed a rhizome of maiden cane. Imperata Cylindrica in Medicine. Some strands are native to East Africa, as well. Cogongrass usually infiltrates an area in patches. Plants were grown for approximately 4 weeks in these smaller containers The root system of any crop plant is significant in plant research to understand and support shoot growth while facilitating high yield production. However, The close up of note the pointed apex on the close up of an individual Koger Iii, C; Bryson, C. (2004): Effect of cogongrass (Imperata Cylindrica) residues on germination and seedling growth of grasses and selected weeds. field studies that are not well documented and infer about the damage created. by pathogens. inset). Cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica (L.), is considered the seventh worst weed in the world and listed as a federal noxious weed by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Plant Protection and Quarantine.Cogongrass infestations are being found primarily in south Georgia but is capable of growing throughout the state. The root system has a distinct “toothpick” root … However, such cultivars are never perfectly stable. species such as Bahiagrass (Holly and Ervin, 2006) although they concluded that cogon grass was more likely to perforate itself. Cogongrass spreads both by seed and roots, making it a tough plant to battle. During a competition study between I. cylindrica and native grasses, where the plants were grown in 30 cm pots, under greenhouse conditions, the underground systems were harvested by removing the root ball from the pot, then removing the potting mixture in order to un-potted for determination of length and weight of rhizomes and roots. Thanks to Aaron Judson for assisting in managing greenhouse plants. daily. Cogon grass has been reported to penetrate other plant of maiden cane (Fig. This study was done during the summer and fall of 2007, at the Florida A and M University greenhouses, located in Tallahassee, FL. Giant feather grass is a grass which, as its name shows, is know to grow quite tall. of over 1400 nodes, hence the potential for invasiveness. (1) Cogon grass reproduces both vegetatively and from seed. grass rhizomes, in present study. Its extensive rhizome system, adaptation to poor soils, drought tolerance, genetic plasticity and fire adaptability make it a formidable invasive grass. The Once established it’s very difficult to eliminate. Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica Beauv. Cogongrass is spreading rapidly across Alabama and the southeast, reducing forest Cogon grass reproduces asexually by rhizomes and sexually by seeds (Hubbard et al., 1944). Increases in cogon grass concern ecologists and conservationists because of the fact that this species displaces native plant and animal species and alters fire regimes. Vegetative spread of cogon grass is aided by its tough and massive rhizomes that may remain dormant for extended periods of time before sprouting. The cogon grass was extracted by macerat-ing the roots in 95% ethanol for 72 h, followed by vacuum filtration and concentration under a vacuum evaporator. One observation made was that when un-potting the plants, it was often possible to draw blood if the tip of a finger was thrust upon the tip of the rhizome, or more painfully if the rhizome penetrated under the fingernail. Bahia grass has a rather thick rhizome that is found in the ), is a very aggressive exotic perennial grass that entered Alabama in 1911 in packing material from Japan. pots filled with 80% bark, 10% sand and 10% peat (Graco Fertilizer Co, Cairo, These observations on the characteristics of cogon grass rhizomes, with the description of the apex of the bract covering the rhizome, help support understand the common name of spear grass that is used in Nigeria and help provide insight into the aggressive nature of this plant species. By the time they realized cows hated eating the razor-sharp blades, it was too late. Need advice? Then, since the plant seemed to be a promising grower, it was introduced with the idea of providing fodder for cattle. That way, they won’t spread through their root system. Glyphosate is absorbed through the leaves and transported to the root system where it attacks the plant’s carbohydrate storage system, starving the plant of essential nutrients. Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrical) is one of the most aggressive grasses world wide and spreads by an extensive rhizome system.This study adds observational detail to growth of cogon grass rhizomes and provides for a mechanism by which cogon grass is able to perforate other species of plants. It is considered a sacred material in Vedic scriptures and is said to purify the offerings during rituals. Sometimes they revert to the original, aggressive form. As shown in figure 1, the grass blades are flat and have a defining white mid-rib. The leaves reach 2–6 feet in height. from a single node. Penetration deal with cogon grass rhizomes alone and in combination with maiden cane rhizomes. perlite, horticultural grade charcoal, 0.25-0.12-0.12 N-P-K, Piedmont Pacific, No comments yet – be the first to share your thoughts! – Cogon grass will eliminate other desirable species of grass. The concentrated extract was suspended in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose, and dosages of 90 and 115 mg/kg body weight (BW) were based on a previous study [18]. point on the rhizome and the scaly bracts that covering the rhizome (lower Buddha is said to have made a seat out of cogon grass for meditation. Cogongrass is difficult to eradicate once it has become established due to the tremendous root system that must be completely eliminated. Native range – Thailand, Philippines, Japan, portions of East China. The root is astringent, antifebrile, antivinous, diuretic, emollient, haemostatic, restorative and tonic. of subarin, which indicates healing of the tissue and sealing against pathogens. At cm deep, Landmark Plastic Corporation, Akron, OH) and filled with commercial Giant Feather grass…, The Russian Olive tree, as opposed to the native American silverberry, is considered a highly invasive species in some parts…, Its been years since your lawn was sown, it looked nice for quite a long while, but now you realize…. Water When Imperata cylindrica spreads outside of its native range, it turns invasive and disturbs entire ecosystems. Since, the small cross sectional area acuminate point of the cogon grass rhizome is due to a bract, the tip of the rhizome point will always retain its sharpness as if something damages the point on the bract (Fig. They are decocted and used to treat urinary tract infections, fevers, thirst etc. penetrated other rhizomes of cogon grass much more frequently than they did These observations It grows extremely fast, very densely, has a silica content in the blade and has a nasty root system. 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