Stop Cogongrass Hitchhikers

Help slow the spread of cogongrass by following these three steps:

Step 1: Learn to identify cogongrass.

Step 2: Avoid cogongrass.

Step 3: Clean vehicles, equipment, and clothing after operating in infested areas.

Step 1: Learn to identify cogongrass.

• Leaves – ½ to 1 inch wide, 1 to 6 feet tall; edge of leaves is rough like sandpaper; often yellowish-green with whitish midrib that is generally off-center, especially near the base of the leaves; leaves brown after a freeze

• Flowers – 2 to 8 inches in length, silvery white; seeds also silvery white, light and fluffy, will blow off like dandelion seeds; blooms in spring or early summer or after a disturbance

• Plant base – no apparent stem so leaves appear to arise directly from the ground; plants are more spread out than clumped

• Rhizome/roots – dense mat of light-colored rhizomes (underground stems) that are covered in flaky scales; strongly segmented and with sharp points

• Whole plant – plants grow in dense, often circular, patches

Step 2: Avoid cogongrass.

• Cogongrass is spread by both windblown seeds (a single plant can produce 3,000 seeds) and underground branching rhizomes. Each rhizome, or fragment of rhizome, can start a new plant. Seeds or pieces of rhizomes moved to new areas in soil, hay, or sod, or on equipment can easily sprout and start new infestations.

• Do not mow, bushhog, or even enter cogongrass when seed heads are present.

• Do not work in cogongrass when soil is muddy and rhizomes can easily be broken off and stuck on equipment.

• Do not grade or push roads or fire lines through cogongrass. If unavoidable, try to work in contaminated sites last.

Step 3: Clean vehicles, equipment, and clothing after operating in infested areas.

Areas to check and clean:

• radiator, grill, undercarriage, and tops of vehicles
• blades and under the deck of bushhogs, mowers, etc.
• tires, rims, and tracks
• places where seeds and rhizomes can stick to grease and mud (seals, bearings, etc.)
• clothing (especially wrinkles, cuffs, and hats)

A pressure washer is the best tool for cleaning vehicles and equipment. If water is not available, use a broom and a shovel to dislodge as much seed and rhizome material as possible. In the field, follow best management practices:

• Do not wash off parts of the machine that have oil buildup.
• Do not use chemical detergents.
• Do not wash vehicles or equipment where water runoff can reach a stream.
• Clean in an open site that can be monitored and where new cogongrass plants can be eradicated.

Also schedule thorough cleanings at a garage or other facility as often as possible.

For more information about cogongrass and its control, visit http://www.cogongrass.org or contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county’s name to find contact information.

Nancy J. Loewenstein, Research Fellow III, Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.