#EDRR Alert: Status Update of #Stiltgrass in #Maine

February 24, 2026

"Background

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is a severely invasive, annual grass originating from southern Asia. Originally introduced to Tennessee in 1919, stiltgrass has seen unbridled spread across the eastern United States over the past century. In Maine, stiltgrass is classified as an early detection and rapid response invasive species (EDRR). EDRR species are recent invaders, meaning they can still be feasibly eradicated from the state. A prolific seed producer, stiltgrass easily invades natural areas and outcompetes many of our native #groundcover species. Stiltgrass is also highly #allelopathic, meaning it releases organic compounds into the soil that degrade the health of the soil and inhibit the growth of other plant species.

As the growing season ends, stiltgrass stems dry out, leaving a thick layer of dry thatch along the forest floor. This introduces a severe #wildfire risk to any invaded areas. Due to the countless negative impacts that stiltgrass poses on Maine's natural areas, identifying stiltgrass populations and managing its spread is among the highest priorities for invasive species management in the state.

Identification

There are several characteristics that can be used to identify stiltgrass and distinguish this species from our native grasses in Maine. The most reliable identifying characteristic for stiltgrass can be found on its pale green, alternate leaves. On the upper surface of stiltgrass leaves is a recognizable silvery midrib (central vein running along the length of the leaf). This silver midrib is unique to stiltgrass and is not found on any of Maines native grasses. Additionally, the texture of stiltgrass leaves is extremely smooth or silky. Nearly all of Maine's #NativeGrasses possess a sticky or grippy texture when passing the leaves between your fingers.

Stiltgrass can also be distinguished from native grasses using its growth form. Mature plants produce aerial roots, or 'stilt roots' (the namesake for this species), at lower nodes along the stem that help to prop up the plant. This trait is unique to stiltgrass. Additionally, stiltgrass tends to branch out close to the ground, producing several main stems that may appear to have a sprawling growth habit. This trait is extremely uncommon among Maines native grass species."

Learn more:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343932

#SolarPunkSunday #Fields #SoilHealth #NativeGrasses #InvasiveGrasses #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek
#MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry

Purple #deadnettles growing amidst white & red #clovers. Both attract #pollinators.

#plants #foliage #groundcover #botanical #LawnAlternatives #Wsanec #Saanich #VictoriaBC #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #PNW #Green #photography #PlantID

Realistic Ground Cover Foliage for Unity #Groundcover #Foliage #Grass #Plants #Leaves #Moss #Unity #Pbrtextures #Shaders #Terrain #Landscape #Gamedevelopment #Architecture #Design #AssetStore

https://u3dn.com/packages/realistic-ground-cover-foliage-for-unity-247634

Beauty in the small things.

© 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓡𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝔂 𝟐 𝓟𝓮𝓮𝓹𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓻𝓪.

(𝒟ℴ𝓊𝒷𝓁ℯ 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒫ℯℯ𝓅𝓈, 𝒹ℴ𝓊𝒷𝓁ℯ 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓅ℯ𝓇𝓈𝓅ℯ𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓋ℯ!)

#photo #photography #2peepsandacamera #australia #flower #flowers#YellowWildflowers #MacroMagic #GroundCover #NaturePhotography #LittleBeauties

As our country shakes and crumbles, I’ve been spending more time in the garden. An hour a day is about average for me, and I’ve made great strides over the summer.

My latest project is to remove an entire bed of pachysandra. It’s a great ground cover—filling a large area so that weeds don’t grow. However….the time has come for something else.

The roots are a solid mat and when I pull on one, it’s connected to a very long runner. Tedious work.

#GroundCover #gardening

The ground cover is vibrant and colourful today.

#Groundcover #Bloomscrolling #Flowers #Garden ##Summer #Photography #Photographie #GooglePixel #PicOfTheDay #PictureOfTheDay