Invasive Plant - Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Andropogon vimineum
Distribution in Canada
Japanese stiltgrass has been confirmed in a small population under official control in southern Ontario. It has not been found in any other locations in Canada.
Duration of life cycle
Annual
Seed/Fruit type
Spikelet - grain enclosed by 2 pairs of bracts
Seed identification features
Size
- length: 2.5–3.2 mm
- width: 0.7 mm
- awn length: unknown
Shape
- in outline: spikelet is long oval with two stalks (pedicels) projecting from base
Surface texture
- dull, roughened by numerous small hairs on surface
Colour
- straw-yellow
Other structures
- upper half of fertile spikelet has small teeth along edges
- pedicels are cup-tipped, and have long hairs along edges
- pedicels occasionally support sterile spikelets
- long awn may be found at top of spikelet
Similar species
Yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum)
- not known to occur in Canada
- similar to Japanese stiltgrass spikelet in teeth and pedicel hair patterns
- spikelet is up to 1.0 mm longer than Japanese stiltgrass, shiny and hairless (Japanese stiltgrass is dull, with numerous hairs)
Photos
Similar species
