Land Management Program at Archbold Biological Station
P.O. Box 2057,  Lake Placid, FL 33862
 Phone 863-465-2571  FAX 863-699-1927
 E-mail: landmanager@archbold-station.org

Exotic Grasses of Disturbed Lands at ABS

Cogon grass in flower at an unimproved pasture at the Reserve during February of 2003

 

Grasses may pose the biggest threat to mangers in that most exotic grasses spread by underground rhizomes or produce numerous seed making them very difficult to control.  Repeated herbicide application and frequent monitoring is the best way to control and potentially eliminate these grasses from natural areas.  Most grasses that have been introduced into Florida, resprout very quickly following fire. Some species such as torpedograss, cogon grass, para grass, Bermudagrass, and St. Augustinegrass developed extensive rhizomes that vigorously sprout new growth during all months except extremely cold periods from December to February.  Clump grasses such as natal grass, smutgrass, and stargrass are perennial grasses that produce numerous seeds that facilitate their spread.  Most grasses that are problematic at ABS occur in highly disturbed areas such as old fields in the Reserve or along disked or mowed fire lanes.  Other grasses such as para grass and torpedograss thrive in ditches and depressional wetlands, forming monocultures that out compete and eliminate native plants.

 

(click on common name for photos)

  1. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)

  2. Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis)

  3. Jaragua Grass (Hyparrhenia rufa)

  4. Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrical) CAT I

  5. Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) CAT II

  6. Torpedo Grass (Panicum repens) CAT I

  7. Bahia Grass (Paspalum notatum)

  8. Vaseygrass (Paspalum urvillei)

  9. Natal Grass (Rhynchelytrum repens) CAT II

  10. Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis)

  11. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)

  12. Smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus var. indicus)

  13. St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

  14. Para Grass (Urochloa mutica) CAT I

    List compiled by Jeff Hutchinson

Para grass in a disturbed wetland at the Lousy 10 site, March 2003.

Photo Credits: Jeff Hutchinson

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• Hutchinson, J.T., September 2003, revised 4 December 2003.
© Archbold Biological Station, 2003 April.
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