Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is a plant species in Poaceae, annual grasses in various habitats and adapts well to low light levels, 0.2-1.1 m long, grows using soft stems and droops with segments where roots can grow in each segment connection.

M. vimineum has pale green leaves, alternating, spear-shaped, 2.5-7.6 cm long, asymmetrical with a shiny midrib, haired or not haired, the surface of the upper and lower leaves is slightly pubescent and has a silvery line on in the middle.

Flowers grow on the axillary leaves or at the top of the stems and produce fruit for about 30 days later. Plants produce seeds in the form of caryopsis. Japanese stiltgrass closes to storm the forest floor until it becomes a dense carpet. They also grow in ditches, forest edges, fields and footpaths.

M. vimineum is very adaptable in situations under large trees and can completely replace native vegetation. They reproduce vegetatively and generatively to colonize new territories on agricultural lands and abandoned lands.

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Microstegium
Species: M. vimineum

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