By Sharon Omahen


University of Georgia

Move over, kudzu — there’s a new weed around, and it’s headed
our way.

The highly invasive cogongrass is being called the new weed to
reckon with, according to scientists across the Southeast.

A perennial that spreads from wind-blown seeds and scaly, white
rhizomes, cogongrass was introduced into the United States both
accidentally and intentionally.

“It made its way into the country on ships that ported in
Alabama,” said Tim Murphy, an Extension weed scientist with the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.

Came in on ships

“It was used as a packing material,” Murphy said. “Then it was
evaluated for soil erosion control and as a forage grass.
Unfortunately, cattle won’t eat it.”

Now found in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
South Carolina and Virginia, cogongrass has been added to the
Federal Noxious Weeds List. It has also been identified in
Bainbridge, Ga. and a few other spots in southeast Georgia,
Murphy said.

“It hasn’t spread across our state yet, but it’s just a matter of
time,” he said. “We’ve just got a small infestation now. But it’s
a highly evasive weed that can quickly displace native
vegetation.”

Cogongrass produces upright, smooth stems that grow 2 to 4 feet
high and form compacted stands. It normally flowers in March to
May, producing silvery or white, silky hairs that look like
plumes.

Fire hazard, hard to manage

Besides taking over other plants, cogongrass is a fire
hazard.

“It creates an extremely hot fire which can easily destroy small
pine stands,” Murphy said.

Cogongrass isn’t a weed that can be easily managed. Researchers
in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi are trying to find ways to
control it.

“Kudzu can at least be managed, and it has some redeeming
qualities,” Murphy said. “Animals graze it, and some people cook
with it.”

Cogongrass isn’t a major problem in Georgia yet.

“It will eventually move into the southern portion of our state,”
he said. “It will take a coordinated effort among private
landowners and various state and federal agencies to prevent it
from becoming a major problem.”