Hillsborough County ISTF - Manatee County Extension Office ...

Cogon grassImperata cylindricaIdentifying CharacteristicsAggressive perennial grass, growing in tufts fromextensive rhizomes. Considered one of the top 10 worstweeds in the world and a pest in 73 countries. Erect,narrow leaves, up to 5 feet tall, with whitish, noticeablyoff-center midvein. Leaves are yellow-green, sharplypointed and hairy at the base. Leaf blades also havescabrous (rough to the touch) margins. Flowers are whitesilky plumes up to 8 inches long, found year-round insouth and central Florida.HabitatIntroduced for forage and soil stabilization. Commonlyfound in open forests, fields, pastures and along transportationand utility corridors. Thrives in areas of minimaltillage.Growth HabitsFast-growing. Grows in full sunlight to partial shade inany area without standing water. Disperses by windborneseeds and by extensive rhizomes. Often spread byfragmentation on farm and roadway machinery. Highlyflammable and aggressively invades after fire.Control Methods: FoliarControl in late fall when leaves are bright green. Mowbefore seed heads have set, then wait until grass grows to6 inches to apply glyphosate or imazapyr. Repeat applicationsmay be necessary. Landowners may need a covercrop if treating large areas.ReplacementsEastern gamma/Fakahatchee grass(Tripsacum dactyloides)Love grasses(Eragrostis elliottii or E. spectabilis)23