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One of the priorities of the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is to develop a statewide strategy for assessment and control of invasive exotic species. Cogongrass is an exotic grass which came from Japan and quickly became widespread in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, displacing native vegetation. Until recently, only small isolated patches of cogongrass had been found in Georgia. In the fall of 2004 several acres of dense cogongrass were found in the Southwest county of Mitchell. Today it has spread to twelve South Georgia counties and has become a major problem for landowners, land managers, and foresters.
Considered one of the “World’s Worst Weeds” and listed as a Federal Noxious Weed by the Department of Agriculture, cogongrass is extremely invasive and seriously detrimental to native plants and wildlife habitat. It provides poor wildlife habitat and competes with growing seedling trees. Longleaf pine seedlings are especially sensitive to competition with invasive, non-native grasses. It thrives in shade just as well as in direct sunlight and can be found growing just about anywhere except in wetlands.
Once it becomes established it is extremely difficult to control.
The best way to control cogongrass is to learn to identify it, minimize the spread of seeds, and report it to the proper agency. Cogongrass has some distinctive identification features. It is rarely found as a single plant but tends to grow in patches. Plants vary in height, from 1 to 5 feet tall. In early spring (late March through mid-June in South Georgia) it produces fluffy, white, plume-like seed heads. Leaves of the Cogongrass measure ½ to 1 inch in width and are commonly 12 to 30 inches long. They rarely have a lush green color and often appear mostly yellowish green.
Call 1-800-GATREES to report potential finds. The Georgia Forestry Commission will make a field visit to identify the plant. They will treat Cogongrass infestations at no cost to landowners. Do not mow, disk, grade or burn near the area. Be sure to thoroughly clean any equipment that has been used in or near the infestation site.
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Cogongrass: