Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas

Swearingen, J., K. Reshetiloff, B. Slattery, and S. Zwicker. 2002. Plant Invaders of
Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas. National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 82 pp.

Britt Slattery, USFWS

Chinese silver grass was introduced from Asia about a century ago for use as an ornamental plant. It is a showy grass that readily spreads in areas where the soil is disturbed, such as roadsides, forest edges and clearings, and can create a thicket that prevents the growth of other plants. Because it is highly flammable, Chinese silver grass can be a fire hazard. It spreads by wind-dispersed seed and locally through growth of rhizomes.

Prevention and Control
Pull seedlings and shallow-rooted plants. Dig out larger plants, including the root systems. Re-sprouting will occur if entire root system is not removed. Cutting may spread plant into clean areas. The best control is through application of glyphosate herbicide in the fall or late spring.

Native Alternatives
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), bushy beardgrass (Andropogon glomeratus), bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), eastern gama grass (Tripsacum dactyloides)

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