Nepalese browntop: Microstegium vimineum (Cyperales: Poaceae) - Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem

Nepalese browntop	USDA PLANTS SYMBOL: MIVI
Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus
Synonym(s): Japanese stiltgrass, Japanese grass, Mary's grass, Nepalgrass
Nepalese browntop is a delicate, sprawling, annual grass that is ½ to 3 ½ ft. (0.2-1.1 m) in height. The leaves are pale-green, alternate, lance-shaped, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long, asymmetrical with a shiny, off-center midrib. Stems usually droop. Flowering occurs in late-summer, when delicate flower stalks develop in the axils of the leaves or at the apex of the stems. Most commonly an invader of forested floodplains, Nepalese browntop is also found in ditches, forest edges, fields, and trails. It is very shade tolerant and can displace vegetation native to floodplains. Nepalese browntop is native to Asia and was accidentally introduced into North America sometime around 1920. It has previously been used as packing material for porcelain, possibly explaining its accidental introduction.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Plant(s); immature plant in June Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Close-up of foliage David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Roots grown in greenhouse Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Dead along river James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Infestation along old logging road, mixed with Chinese lespedeza Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; Along road. Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Diagram or Graphic; USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Diagram or Graphic; Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Misc. Publ. No. 200. Washington, DC. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage