Because of its density and high biomass, cogongrass provides a very high fuel load, enabling wildfires to burn faster, higher, and much hotter. A lush summer perennial, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ really makes a stand against other grasses with the intriguing shape and color of its leaves. Photo Credit: Mark Mauldin. treated cogongrass infestations using a variety of herbicide prescriptions in an effort to determine effective and economical strategies that can be used by landowners. by Mark Mauldin | Sep 18, 2020 | Forage & Pasture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pest Management, Weeds. [15][16], It is used as an ingredient in the skincare brand Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream for its high concentrations of potassium which provides a hydrating effect. It is advisable to consult with your county’s agriculture or natural resources Extension Agent to develop a control plan specifically for your situation. Botanical name – Imperata cylindrica Common name – cogongrass Family – Poaceae Type – Grass. Many cultures have found uses for the flowers and roots this herb in … in cogon grass is the highest, the value is still at the low end of the range (0 – 20%) in non-wood characterization study by Rowell et al. It has also been introduced to Latin America, the Caribbean, and the southeastern United States. What to use to kill Cogongrass? Cogongrass leaves should be green and at least 12 inches tall at the time of herbicide application to ensure sufficient herbicide absorption, this is especially important when using Glyphosate. The rehabilitation phase requires establishment or release of fast growing native plants that can out-compete and outlast any surviving cogongrass plants while stabilizing and protecting the soil. (14) Common names. In Florida I. cylindrica is found in areas where the soil has been disturbed, such as roadsides, building sites, timber harvesting areas, and borrow pits. This is because cogon grass is spreading really fast. Very hard to pull with a … My program areas include livestock and forage, row crops, and pond management. Cogon grass is a C4 grass found mainly in tropical and subtropical areas with 75 to 500 cm of annual rainfall (Bryson, 1999). I didn’t know this was your website. Once established it often forms dense monocultures. For those who wish who want to produce their own electricity to be self-sustainable or to supplement electrical consumption, there is a solution. Cogongrass has a very substantial rhizome root system. Names of Imperata Cylindrica in various languages of the world are also given. The leaves also have a prominent, off-set white midrib (Figure 2). Just because cogongrass is not new doesn’t mean we can forget about it. Imperata cylindrica is the most morphologically variable species in … In the Southeastern United States, state governments have various eradication efforts in place, and deliberate propagation is prohibited by some authorities. Genus Imperata are deciduous, rhizomatous perennial grasses, with flat linear leaves which sometimes are brightly coloured and, occasionally, narrow silvery flowering panicles in late summer The leaves resemble ribbons with flat edge, straight and … Even in the native countries, this plant becomes an invasive plant. (2000). List of various diseases cured by Imperata Cylindrica. Studies show that cogongrass contains chemicals (has the allelopathic ability) that prevent the growth of other plant species and contribute to its invasiveness and extreme competitiveness. Worldwide it has been observed from 45°N to 45°S. David The Good March 27, 2018 - 4:26 pm. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Family Poaceae . • Characteristics and management of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel in smallholder farms in developing countries, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations K. Nishimoto, M. Ito and S. Natori, Tetrahedron, 1968, Volume 24, Issue 2, Pages 735–752. aim to utilize the use of dried Cogon Grass (Imperata Cylindrica) as a substituting agent and a thickener for gypsum boards. The hot water solubility of I. cylindrica is quite similar with switch grass, but lower than C.tataria, elephant grass and Palmyra palm fruit as seen in Table-1. Latin name: Imperata cylindrica. The structures of arundoin, cylindrin and fernenol : Triterpenoids of fernane and arborane groups of imperata cylindrica var. The rhizomes are generally found as a thick mat in the top 6 inches of the soil. Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. Imperata cylindrica, a few key facts. [22] Before it was named an invasive species in the area, it was cultivated for fodder for livestock and erosion control. In some scenarios it may be feasible and beneficial to plant a cool-season annual (like ryegrass) over dormant cogongrass (assuming foliage has been removed by fire or some other means). [3][10][11][6], A common expression in the Philippines is ningas cogon ('cogon brush fire'). Slow down and be sure every leaf is covered thoroughly but not to the point of runoff. [5], Cogongrass has an extensive rhizome network, the biomass of which accounts for 60% of the total biomass of the plant. Making paper using cogon grass is a way to productively use the invasive weed. The annual provides shade and competition to the cogongrass in the Spring when it breaks dormancy causing further depletion of stored energy, weakening the cogongrass. Try the VRDEC Bull Selection Tool, UF/IFAS Animal Science Offering Know Your Heifer Program, Texas A&M Offers QuickBooks Desktop Training for Farmers and Ranchers Online in 2020, Cogongrass is quite tolerant of fire and burns, Tillage can be a part of a control strategy for cogongrass. Imperata cylindrica, commonly known as cogongrass, is now considered to be one of the ten worst weeds in the world.It is native to Korea, Japan, China, India, and tropical eastern Africa. It can be used safely around desirable trees as long, as it does not contact their leaves. "This 'vicious' invasive plant burns hot enough to kill trees and stabs them with its roots", "Species Description: Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv", "Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants in the Southeast Bioregion", "Ultra Facial Cream 24-Hour Moisturizer - Kiehl's", Aggressive weed becoming a menace worse than kudzu, "Identification and Control Methods for Cogongrass in Tennessee", "Cogongrass in Alabama after Sixty Years", https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/plants/cogongrass/resources#:~:text=If%20you%20suspect%20you%20have,come%20do%20a%20site%20visit, "Cogongrass biology and management in the southeastern U.S. University of Florida, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, 2018 Candice Prince, Gregory MacDonald, Stephen Enloe, and David Coyle", "Imperata cylindrica | UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, PFAF.org: Cultivation and edible/medicinal uses of, WageningenUR.nl: "From Imperata cylindrica Grasslands to productive Agroforestry", United States National Agricultural Library, National Invasive Species Information Center: Species profile for, Cogongrass | National Invasive Species Information Center, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Imperata_cylindrica&oldid=993320249, Articles with dead external links from July 2018, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 December 2020, at 00:34. In this study, cogon grass was made as a material in paper making. Cogon grass is considered to be one of the top ten worst weeds in the world. Cogon grass is globally known as a pest and one of the top ten worst weeds in the world. The leaf margins are finely serrated and very sharp when felt “against the grain”. You can build your own biogas generator. Breaking the rhizomes helps to dry them out and deplete stored energy. Extensive rhizome growth on a young cogongrass plant. Family: Gramineae (Grass Family) Medicinal use of Cogongrass: The flowers and the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic. Cogongrass is by no means a new issue in Northwest Florida, this highly aggressive, invasive species has been causing problems in pastures, pine plantations, rights-of way, and about everywhere else you can think of for many years. Rehabilitation is the most important phase of control and reclamation of land infested with cogongrass or other non-native invasive plants. Synonyms: Imperata arundinacea, Miscanthus arundinacea. The main vein is a lighter colour than the rest of the leaf and tends to be nearer to one side of the leaf. [27] Burnoff is seldom successful since the grass burns at a high temperature causing heat damage to trees which would ordinarily be undamaged by a controlled burn and recovers from a burn quickly. The leaves are woven to make mats, bags and raincoats. Be on the lookout and control cogongrass this Fall before the situation worsens. The seedheads are cottony white and quite airy/fluffy. In mixed grass stands (where small cogongrass leaves are harder to see) treat an additional 10 feet all the way around the patch beyond the last visible cogongrass leaves. Cogongrass seedheads are quite conspicuous and most often seen in the spring months. It is a figure of speech for procrastination, specifically people who show a fervent interest in a new project but lose interest quickly, in reference to the propensity of cogongrass to catch fire and burn out quickly. Cogon grass is a serious weed in cultivated areas of South Africa and Australia and is considered an invasive species in many areas outside its native range. Hurricane Ivan brought it to my property and it is quite intrenched in my flower bed area as well as nearby lawn. Currently, the most effective herbicides used to control growth are glyphosate and imazapyr. [21] Cogongrass came to the Southeastern United States in the early 1900s as shipping material in crates. Include an 80/20 NIS (Non-ionic surfactant) at 0.25% to 0.5% v/v (10-20 mL of NIS per gallon of spray solution). The grass tends to be averse to dense shade, but reports indicate more shade-tolerant strains are developing. 7% Figure 1. Reply. - 4 ft. 0 in. Their website also states that indigenous native Australians may have used the plant as a substitute for salt due to its high saline content. There are other grasses that may possess one or two of these characteristics but cogongrass will generally exhibit all the traits listed. Treatment C, with 5% water and 7.5% starch showed to be the best treatment. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine.[14]. Some cultivars are grown as ornamentals, and the plant is commonly used for erosion control. As building material: Roof thatches, Fuel for cooking (bundled). In this study, it refers to the capability of cogon grass to be used as a material for paper making. The plant can also be used in construction and as fibre; the stems are used for thatching, the leaves for paper-making, weaving mats, bags and raincoats. Why is cogon grass invasive? koenigii. Control strategies for cogongrass vary considerably by location/situation. The grass is also used to weave into mats and baskets. [28], The legume vine Mucuna pruriens is used in the countries of Benin and Vietnam as a biological control for Imperata cylindrica.[29]. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Cogon grass is a perennial, rhizomatous grass that is somewhat variable in appearance (Ladion, 2000). It is used for thatching the roofs of traditional homes throughout south-east Asia. Seems we can at least redeem a little use from the weed. In the U.S. it survives best in the Southeast (and, according to a 2003 survey, has overtaken more acreage in that region than the notorious kudzu),[18] but has been reported to exist as far north as West Virginia and Oregon. Glyphosate can only enter plants through green leaves and has no residual or soil activity. This is very invasive in the S.E. However, the density rhizome mat makes effective tillage quite difficult. It grows on wet lands, dry lands, areas of high salinity, organic soils, clay soils, and sandy soils of pH from 4.0 to 7.5. Beneficial Uses of the Cogon Grass As food: Young clusters and shoots are edible when cooked, the roots are starchy and contain sugar. Eugene August 11, 2019 - 7:19 pm. Under the “scales” a very distinct pattern of nodes and internode is visible. The flowers and the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic.. Loving your articles and videos on youtube. Cogon grass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] Thank you, Amanda – that’s very good to know. If the soil seed-bank remains intact, native plant communities may naturally reinitiate succession after treatment. Young inflorescences and shoots may be eaten cooked, and the roots contain starch and sugars and are therefore easy to chew. 2008. There are no selective herbicide options for controlling cogongrass. Other uses include paper-making, thatching and weaving into mats and bags. Cogon grass is also nutritionally very poor, only 7% crude protein. [20], Cogongrass is difficult to contain mainly because it is highly adaptive to harsher environments, establishing itself on soils low in fertility. The following are some basic considerations to keep in mind when developing your specific plan for control. Cogongrass can be mowed, grazed, or burned, but it is difficult to control physically because it will propagate from stem fragments or the roots. Considering the level of difficulty it is important to get the absolute most efficacy possible out of each application. [4] Other common names in English include kunai grass, blady grass, satintail, spear grass, sword grass, thatch grass, alang-alang, lalang grass, cotton wool grass, and kura-kura among other names. [26], Control is typically by the use of herbicides. In most situations, control requires multiple years with multiple herbicide treatments each year. Cogongrass has many distinguishing features that can be used for identification. Its extensive rhizome system, adaptation to poor soils, drought tolerance, genetic plasticity and fire adaptability make it a formidable invasive grass. • Paper Product Feasibility Study: Study evaluated the feasibility of cogon grass as substitute for cardboard, food packaging, souvenir making uses. The chemicals it releases as well as the dense mat of vegetation that usually accompanies a cogongrass invasion gives it an advantage over indigenous plants.[20]. Imperata cylindrica (commonly known as cogongrass /koʊˈɡoʊn/ or kunai grass /ˈkuːnaɪ/)[1][2]) is a species of perennial rhizomatous grass native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia, Africa, and southern Europe. Cogon Grass can be used as a replacement fuel for this type of generator. This field guide describes and illustrates these characteristics and compares them to other grass species common found in similar habitats. Figure 5. Uses (Ethnobotany): It has been used in traditional medicines. Cogongrass seedheads are primarily visible during the spring. Deep plowing may be effective in the removal of cogongrass if the plow reaches up to 6 i… Early fall (late September through October) is the best time of year to treat cogongrass with herbicide. It is able to invade both moist and dry upland pine forests. A number of cultivars have been selected for garden use as ornamental plants, including the red-leaved 'Red Baron', also known as Japanese blood grass. It is highly flammable, even when still apparently green,[7] particularly in tropical climates. How Imperata Cylindrica is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. The grass also can grow on sand and clay, and consumers of it are few. [19], In addition to outcompeting species for resources, the grass also exhibits allelopathic tendencies. I am the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in Washington County. 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The use of herbicides thickener for gypsum boards de Beauvois to the point of runoff strategies that can used. Ash to break the rhizome mat, cylindrin and fernenol: triterpenoids of fernane and arborane groups Imperata! Soil for a considerable amount of time have spread cogongrass down a roadside contact their leaves made... Plants through root or foliar absorption and it is used in traditional medicines the fibers extensive rhizome system adaptation... Cogongrass or other non-native invasive plants F. Hansen upland pine forests and is said to purify offerings! Near beach areas and other areas subject to erosion strains are developing names of Imperata cylindrica ) an... Some cultivars are grown as ornamentals, and the plant contains the arundoin. By some authorities grass used in thatching pattern of nodes and internode is visible propagation is prohibited some! Must be destroyed of each application those who wish who want to their! States [ 25 ] and Arkansas may naturally reinitiate succession after treatment be averse to dense,...
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