JACKSON – Mississippi is under attack from a seemingly unlikely invader – a plant.
Imperata cylindrica, more commonly known as cogongrass, was introduced, accidentally and purposely, from East Asia to the southern United States in the early 1900s.
Cogongrass chokes out native species for control of soil nutrients. Its roots excrete chemicals to deter growth of competing vegetation, and the rhizomes can penetrate roots, bulbs and tubers of native plants.
In Mississippi, cogongrass was introduced as a new forage crop. Unfortunately, cogongrass is not palatable for livestock. The high silica content of the grass causes sores in the mouths of horses, cows and other livestock. Not even goats find cogongrass an acceptable forage.
When it failed as a forage crop, cogongrass was thought to be suitable for soil stabilization because of its vigorous growth and sturdy root system. However, cogongrass was found to be too weedy for erosion control.
With no native competition or consumers, cogongrass quickly spread from ports and experimental plots to prairies and pine forests throughout the Gulf South.
Estimates show that there are around 2 million acres covered in cogongrass from South Carolina to Florida and west all the way to Texas.
In Mississippi, cogongrass is most densely populated in the southeast portion of the state but stands can be found as far north as Saltillo and as far west as Vicksburg.
The MFC is currently taking applications for the Cogongrass Control Program from landowners in George, Greene, Jackson and Perry counties.
Limited funding is available, so applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to apply for assistance through the MFC’s Cogongrass Control Program, visit www.mfc.ms.gov/cogongrass-control-program.
As with the Cogongrass Control Program, there is limited funding available through the FRDP and applications are processed on a first come basis.
For more information about the FRDP, visit www.mfc.ms.gov/FRDP.
