| itchgrass |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: ROCO6 USDA ARS GRIN: 310370 ITIS: 504836 NAPIS: PCACOBA |
| Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W.D. Clayton | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae |
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| Synonym(s): corngrass, raoulgrass | |
Itchgrass is an annual grass that invades disturbed and agricultural areas throughout the southeastern United States. Stems and leaves are covered with stiff, irritating hairs. Stems can reach a height of 1-10 ft. (0.3-3 m). The inflorescence is a jointed, cylindrical raceme, 1-6 in. (2.5-15.24) long. Under favorable conditions, itchgrass starts producing seeds 6-7 weeks after emergence. Seed production continues throughout the growing season. Leaf blades are 5.9-17.7 in. (15-45 cm) long, 0.2-0.8 in. (5-20 mm) wide and flat. Itchgrass invades agricultural fields and other disturbed areas. The hairs on the stems and leaves can cause severe irritation, and the plant is unpalatable to livestock and wildlife. Itchgrass is native to the Old World tropics, but it is currently widespread throughout the world’s tropical regions and in the southeastern United States. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Noxious weeds of the Federal Noxious Weed Act - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Disseminules comprising internode with embedded spikelet and pedicel; far right: disseminule with pedicellate spikelet Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Caryopses in ventral view (left) and dorsal view (right) Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- California Noxious Weeds
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 3
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Minnesota Noxious Weeds
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- North Carolina Noxious Weeds Class A
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- South Carolina Noxious Weeds
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council Watch List B
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- Vermont Noxious Weeds
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