NPSpecies

Data Source: White and Pyne 2003

Native Range: Native to the Russian Federation, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Nepal, Indochina, Thailand, and the Philippines (GRIN 2001).; Data Source: http://plants.usda.gov, 10 August 2007 Legacy NPSpecies information may no longer be applicable, please remove if it is not applicable. In legacy NPSpecies Weedy value was Yes with comment: Disturbed areas, colonizing moist, rich soil, especially in floodplains; common, native of tropical se. Asia. The following chronological synopsis of flora accounts of Microstegium is perhaps instructive: not treated by Small (1933), "local" (Fernald1950), "rarely introduced and possibly not established" (Gleason & Cronquist 1952), "sporadically naturalized" (Godfrey & Wooten 1979), "a rapidly spreading pernicious invader on moist ground, too common" (Wofford 1989). RAB report it fromfewer than 1/3 of the counties of the Carolinas (in 1968); it is now undoubtedly in every county, an abundant weed in most ofthem. This species has become a very serious pest, now ranking as one of the most destructive introduced plants in our area, forming extensive and dense patches, sprawling over and eliminating nearly all other herbaceous plants. Eradication is very difficult, and considering its obvious colonizing abilities, only temporary. (Weakley 2007) In legacy NPSpecies Pest value was Yes with comment: Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium. I-Rank Reasons Summary: Microstegium vimineum is established in most eastern states; it occurs from New York to Illinois south to Florida and Texas. M. vimineum is slow to invade undisturbed vegetation but spreads quickly and forms dense monocultures in areas with natural or human-caused disturbance. It's habitats include stream banks, river bluffs, floodplains, emergent and forested wetlands, moist woodlands and forests, early successional fields, woodland thickets, and rights-of-way. M. vimineum grows very well under low light conditions such as under a forest canopy. M. vimineum can displace native vegetation in a few years and also impacts ground nesting birds. M. vimineum may also impact ecosystems by altering soil conditions. M. vimineum produces 100-1000 seeds per plant. Seeds remain viable in the soil for at least 3-5 years. Once established, the removal of M. vimineum requires major eradication and restoration efforts.

Park Species Data Source: Langdon and Rock 2000; Rogers 2000; White and Pyne 2003