Wavyleaf Basketgrass
Oplismenus hirtellus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Woodland Ground Cover
Variety / Cultivar
Native wild type with characteristic undulating leaf blades
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 10, sensitive to heavy frost which causes top growth to die back
About This Grass
Forms low-growing, sprawling carpets of bright to medium green foliage with distinctive wavy, puckered leaves. Stems root at the nodes, allowing it to quickly cover large shaded ground areas.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture, lanceolate blades, typically 1 to 3 inches long and 0.5 to 1 inch wide, notable for wavy or corrugated cross-sections, prominent parallel veins, pointed tips, and hairy sheaths
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system with extensive stolons that root at the nodes, establishing quickly in damp shaded soils
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide; introduced and invasive in temperate North America
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and creeping, forming dense, sprawling mats along the ground
Sunlight & Water Needs
Highly shade tolerant, thrives in deep woodland shade; moderate to high water needs, prefers moist, rich soils and does not tolerate prolonged drought
Mowing & Maintenance
Difficult to control with standard turf mowing due to low-growing stolons; considered a persistent woodland weed requiring manual removal or targeted management
Special Characteristics
Exceptional shade tolerance, highly invasive in deciduous forests, spreads rapidly via rooting stolons and sticky seeds attached to animals and clothing, poor wear tolerance for heavy traffic
Ecological Information
Introduced invasive species in North America; outcompetes native understory plants, disrupts woodland ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and provides little beneficial forage value to native wildlife