Japanese Stiltgrass | National Invasive Species Information Center

Japanese stiltgrass, foliage - Photo by Chuck Bargeron; University of Georgia

Scientific Name:

Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) Camus (ITIS)

Synonym:

Andropogon vimineus Trin., Eulalia viminea (Trin.) Kuntze (ITIS)

Common Name:

Japanese stiltgrass, Nepalese browntop, Chinese packing grass, Asian stilt grass, annual jewgrass, bamboograss, Nepal microstegium, eulalia, Mary's grass

Native To:

Asia (Fryer 2011)

Date of U.S. Introduction:

First discovered in 1919 (Morrison et al. 2007)

Means of Introduction:

Probably introduced as packing material in shipments from China (Fryer 2011)

Impact:

Can grow in a variety of habitats where it forms dense stands and crowds out native species (Fryer 2011)

Spotlights

Field Guide To The Identification of Japanese Stiltgrass (Mar 2019)

Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), also called Nepalese browntop, is an aggressive invader of forest lands throughout the eastern United States. Infestations can impact the diversity of native species, reduce wildlife habitat, and disrupt important ecosystem functions. Stiltgrass is considered one of the most damaging invasive plant species in the United States. Infestations spread rapidly and the seed can remain viable in the soil for up to five years. Correct identification is necessary before beginning any management activities. Fortunately, Japanese stiltgrass has a unique combination of characteristics that make field identification possible. This publication gives simple descriptions and clear pictures of these characteristics along with details on how to distinguish several common look-a-like species. Download the full PDF version of Field Guide to The Identification of Japanese Stiltgrass with comparisons to other look-a-like species, ANR – 1457 (PDF | 16.1 MB).

Distribution / Maps / Survey Status

Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) - Japanese Stiltgrass

University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Provides state, county, point and GIS data. Maps can be downloaded and shared.

Images

Google Images - Japanese Stiltgrass

Google.

Invasive.org - Japanese Stiltgrass

University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Videos

YouTube - Identification of Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Google. YouTube; University of Wisconsin-Madison. Wisconsin First Detector Network.

Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Japanese Stiltgrass.

Council or Task Force

Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - Japanese Grass or Eulalia

Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council.

Partnership

EPPO Global Database - Microstegium vimineum

European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization.

Global Invasive Species Database - Microstegium vimineum (grass)

IUCN. Species Survival Commission. Invasive Species Specialist Group.

Invaders Factsheet: Japanese Stiltgrass

Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program (Canada).

Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States - Japanese Stilt Grass

University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Invasive Species Compendium - Microstegium vimineum

CAB International.

New York Invasive Species Information - Japanese Stiltgrass

New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse.

Federal Government

Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) - Microstegium vimineum

USDA. FS. Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fire Sciences Laboratory.

National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Species Information System (NEMESIS): Chesapeake Bay Introduced Species Database - Microstegium vimineum

Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Marine Invasions Research Lab.

PLANTS Database - Nepalese Browntop

USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.

U.S. National Plant Germplasm System - Microstegium vimineum

USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program. GRIN-Global.

State and Local Government

Fact Sheet: Japanese Stilt-Grass (Microstegium vimineum) (2014) (PDF | 283 KB)

New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food. Division of Plant Industry.

See also: New Hampshire's Prohibited Invasive Plant Fact Sheets for additional invasive trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants

Forest Pests: Invasive Plants and Insects of Maryland - Japanese Stiltgrass (Aug 2012) (PDF | 551 KB)

Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Forest Service.

See also: Invasive Plants and Insects Fact Sheets for additional species to help control invasive species in Maryland

Invasive Species Leaflet - Microstegium vimineum (Mar 2010) (PDF | 150 KB)

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Forest Service.

See also: Forest Health Publications for more Invasive Species Leaflets

New Jersey Non-Native Plants: Japanese Stiltgrass (Oct 2008) (PDF | 109 KB)

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

See also: Invasive Species Fact Sheets for more species

Field Guide: Invasive - Japanese Stiltgrass

Missouri Department of Conservation.

See also: Invasive and Problem Plant Control (scroll to Invasive Plants section) for more information to help you identify and control most common invasive plants in Missouri

Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania: Japanese Stilt Grass (PDF | 236 KB)

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

See also: Invasive Plant Fact Sheets for plant species (trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and aquatic plants) that have impacted the state's natural lands

Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Academic

Factsheet: Japanese Stiltgrass (2018) (PDF | 586 KB)

Pennsylvania State University. Pennsylvania Sea Grant.

See also: Aquatic Invasive Species: Resources for additional species information

Japanese Stiltgrass Control in the Home Lawn and Landscape (Oct 2014)

Rutgers University. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Japanese Stiltgrass

Ohio State University. Extension.

Insects, Pests, and Diseases: Japanese Stiltgrass

Pennsylvania State University. Cooperative Extension.

Introduced Species Summary Project - Japanese Stilt Grass

Columbia University. Center for Environmental Research and Conservation.

Maine Invasive Plants Bulletin: Japanese Stilt Grass

University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

See also: Natural Resources Publications for entire "Maine Invasive Plants" series

Citations

Fryer, J.L. 2011. Microstegium vimineum. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Microstegium vimineum. [Accessed Sep 10, 2014].
Morrison, J.A., Lubchansky, H.A., Mauck, K.E., McCartney, K., and B. Dunn. 2007. Ecological comparison of two co-invasive species in eastern deciduous forests: Alliaria petiolata and Microstegium vimineum. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 134(1):1-17.