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Integrated Crop Management
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Japanese stiltgrass

Japanese stiltgrass                          Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus

Family:   Poaceae

Life cycle:   Annual

Habitat:  Woodlands, streambanks, ditches, prefers moist soils and shade.

General description:   Up to 3 feet tall, sprawling growth habit.  Leaves are up to 3 inches long, <½ inch wide, narrowing at both ends, giving the leaves a lance-shaped appearance.  Short, membranous ligule.  A few hairs are found on upper leaf surface.  Long internodes between leaves.  Plants have multiple stems that form roots at joints.  Seedhead consists of 1 -3 slender spikes, 2 to 3 inches long.

Key ID traits:   Relatively wide leaf in relation to length compared to other grasses.  Lance- shaped leaf.  Silver mid-vein on leaves.  In winter the remnants of plants are bright tan or orange.

Miscellaneous:  Introduced to North America in early 1900’s, likely when used as packing material for porcelain imported from China/Japan.  It is just beginning to spread in Iowa, was first identified near Iowa City in 2014 or 2015.  Also called Nepalese browntop.

Japanese stiltgrass residue in winter
Japanese stiltgrass residue in winter
lance-shaped leaf with silver midvein
Lance-shaped leaf with silver midvein
typical multi-stem growth habit
Typical multi-stem growth habit
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.

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