Virginia’s Least Wanted: Wavyleaf Grass
September 23, 2024 4:20 pm
This grass may look harmless, but it wants to use you and your pets for a free ride. The seeds of wavyleaf grass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) stick to everything, easily spreading this invasive across Virginia’s forests, replacing our native plants and wildflowers. Wavyleaf grass thrives in shaded forest understories, especially along forest trails looking for a free ride.
Wavyleaf grass produces seeds August – November. Here’s what you can do to prevent its spread:
Learn to ID wavyleaf so you can avoid walking through it and collecting seeds
After hiking, use a lint roller or brush to remove seeds before you get in your vehicle
Do the same for any pet companions
Report wavyleaf you find on public lands so land managers can act quickly
Learn more about wavyleaf grass in our “most wanted” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-dAbT3mfv4
And check out this storymap from Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: https://ow.ly/Lg8450TqkUB
Tags: Invasive Species
Category: Forest Health, State Forests