Once The Snow Melts, Not All That Is Green Is Good

Warm Springs, VA – A relatively new invasive weed, wavy leaf basket grass is showing up in a number of locations throughout the Commonwealth and is causing a lot of concern. Its growth and appearance are somewhat similar to Japanese stilt grass, however the blades are a bit larger and the leaves have a characteristic wavy appearance. It is extremely shade tolerant and seems to take over a site rapidly, virtually excluding native vegetation.

Also, unlike stiltgrass, it is a perennial and will overtake stiltgrass when the two are growing together. It produces a very sticky seed on a long stalk, making it easy for a person walking through an infested area to spread the seed over long distances.

It was discovered in the United States near Baltimore, MD, in the 1990s and has since been found in Virginia. The first location was in the vicinity of SR 33 and Shenandoah National Park, nearby. It has also been found in Fairfax, Fauquier Counties and is suspected to be widespread in northern Virginia. Be on the lookout for this new invasive species.