Japanese Stiltgrass
Microstegium vimineum · Warm-season, Annual, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (No commercial cultivars)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9
About This Grass
A delicate, sprawling annual grass that forms dense, low-growing patches up to 1-3 feet tall. Light to medium green foliage with distinctive off-center silver-green midribs, often turning purplish or reddish-bronze in autumn.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, lance-shaped, 3-8 cm long and 5-15 mm wide (medium to coarse). Pointed tips, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent silvery midrib. Ligule is a short membrane, auricles absent.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system with roots forming easily from lower stem nodes that touch the ground. Fast establishment from seed, poor drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Asia (China, Japan, Korea, India); widely naturalized in the eastern United States
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and branching; roots at the nodes, forming dense, sprawling mats
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in deep shade to partial sun, can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. High water needs, poor drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Low maintenance weed; easily controlled by frequent low mowing or weed-whacking before seed set in late summer.
Special Characteristics
Extremely invasive, highly shade-tolerant, low traffic/wear tolerance, crowds out native understory vegetation, excellent at colonizing disturbed soils.
Ecological Information
Aggressive invasive species in North America. Low wildlife food value, disrupts forest regeneration and native plant communities. Difficult to eradicate once established.