Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

small carpetgrass, joint-head grass

Arthraxon hispidus

(Thunb.) Makino

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Graminoid, Grass

Habitat: Wetland/Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): jointhead arthraxon, hairy jointgrass

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Foliage

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Plant

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Infestation

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Feature

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Infestation

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Flower

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Root

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Fruit

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Plant

USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Plant

USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Flower

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Foliage

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Description

Appearance
The plant stands to 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) tall with oval to lance-shaped leaves.
Foliage
Leaves are 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long, 0.2 in. (0.5 cm) wide and have heart shaped bases. The margins of the leaves have conspicuous hairs.
Flowers
Flowers bloom in early fall and are contained in 1 to several, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long spikes.
Fruit
Fruit is a caryopsis.
Ecological Threat
Arthraxon hispidus is an annual grass that was introduced into the United States, either accidentally or by immigrants, from Japan and eastern Asia. Arthraxon hispidus inhabits wet areas such as stream banks, flood plains and shorelines.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN):

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: small carpetgrass, joint-head grass (Arthraxon hispidus) is a Wetland/Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Arthraxon
Subject: Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino

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