Common Name: stiltgrass, Japanese (Mary's-grass)
Species: Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A.Camus var. imberbe (Nees) Honda
Bayer Code: MCGVM

Japanese stiltgrass is a summer annual grass that generally grows 1-3 feet in a branching, sprawling, mat-like manner. Its pale green leaves alternate along a branched stalk, and it resembles a small bamboo plant. Leaves are narrow and lightly hairy. One feature to notice is the pale stripe of hair along the midrib of the upper leaf surface. Japanese stiltgrass spreads rapidly, and out-competes native vegetation in areas of low light. 		Japanese stiltgrass
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Japanese stiltgrass
Japanese stiltgrass
Japanese stiltgrass
Japanese stiltgrass
 
CharacteristicTypeDescription
Seedhead / Flower racemeone or more spike-like raceme
Vernation Type rolled 
Ligule Type membranousmembranous with hairs on the back
Growth Season / Life Cycle summer annual weed 
Auricle Type absent 
Leaf Blade Tip Shape sharp-pointedleaves are asymmetrical (midvein does not divide the leaf into two equal parts)
Leaf Blade Width medium, 0.1 - 0.2 in OR broad, greater than 0.2 in0.12 - 0.4 inches (3 - 10 mm) wide
Stolon Presence absent 
Rhizome Presence absent 
Collar Type   
Sheath Margin   
Sheath Type round