New Bugwood Newsletter and Brochure
The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood Network) has developed and new brochure and newsletter to feature our current projects and activities. The first issue of the newsletter is available here: http://www.bugwood.org/newsletterJan08.pdf and the brochure here: http://www.bugwood.org/brochure2009.pdf
Georgia Invasive Species Strategy
Available online for comment at: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/assets/documents/GeorgiaInvasiveSpeciesStrategy.pdf
Good article on the evils of Japanese blood grass
See article here.
Alabama Cogongrass Task Force
For more information: http://www.cogongrass.org/alabama/
Georgia Department of Agriculture bans sale of cogongrass
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For information contact: Arty Schronce, Tyler Adams, Jackie Sosby or Yao Seidu (404) 656-3689
Bans sale of Cogongrass
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has issued a statewide ban on the sale of Cogongrass, a non-native and aggressively invasive species of grass.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is already listed as a noxious weed by the United States Department of Agriculture and is therefore illegal to transport across state lines.
The new action makes the growing, cultivation or sale of the plant a violation within the state of
The grass is sold under the names Japanese blood grass and Red Baron grass. There is a reddish tint to the leaves which accounts for its name and sole ornamental quality. Cultivars such as ‘Red Baron’ are thought to be sterile (producing no viable seed), but long-term behavior of the plant is unknown. Cultivars of the grass have demonstrated aggressive spreading by their roots. They will also sometimes revert to green.
State and federal agencies have been working together for four years to detect all known Cogongrass infestations and to eradicate them.
Cogongrass can form a dense mat that makes it nearly impossible for other plants to coexist. It disrupts ecosystems, reduces wildlife habitat and decreases tree seedling growth. “Think of kudzu as a grass,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin.
This ban is part of an ongoing effort among the nursery industry, USDA Forest Service, University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Forestry Commission to prevent further introductions of cogongrass into the environment.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has 24 inspectors that will enforce the ban and help educate nurseries and garden centers about this new regulation.
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North Carolina prohibits the sale and distribution of Cogongrass along with all its cultivars
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Plant Industry Division is implementing a
policy change that will prohibit the propagation, nursery cultivation, sale and distribution of cogongrass, (lmperata
cylindrica) (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, along with all cultivars including 'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass. This
action is needed to prevent further introduction and secondary spread of cogongrass into and within NOJih Carolina.
Cogongrass has been detected and is a major concern in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. It was recently detected and confirmed in Tennessee. Additionally, this
policy change for North Carolina is needed to ensure this state's regulatory actions are harmonized with those of
surrounding states.
The following actions will be taken to implement this new policy.
I. Effective immediately, the NCDA&CS, Plant Industry Division will deny permits for the interstate
movement of Cogongrass-Imperata cylindrica (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, including cultivars referred to as
'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass.
2. NCDA&CS, Plant Industry Division will enforce regulatory restrictions on all nursery propagation, nursery
cultivation and sale/distribution of cogongrass, including cultivars referred to as 'Red Baron' or Japanese
blood grass after October 31,2008.
3. Existing inventories of cogongrass-Imperata cylindrica (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, including cultivars referred
to as 'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass, must be sold or removed from nurseries or nursery dealers by
October 31, 2008. Any remaining plant material will be subject to stop-sale and will be destroyed or must
be shipped in compliance with USDA, APHIS, PPQ regulations. The application and instructions for a
PPQ Form 526-Applicationfor Permit to Move Live Pests or Noxious Weeds may be found at the USDA,
APHIS, PPQ web site http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/ppg epermits.shtml and must be completed by
the nursery/nursery dealer operation in the receiving state.
4. Failure to comply may result in revocation or suspension of the NCDA&CS' Nursery Certificate or
Nursery Dealer Certificate.
Should you have questions or need additional information regarding this policy change, please feel free to contact
your local NCDA&CS Plant Pest Specialist or Rick Iverson, Weed Specialist, NCDA&CS.
South Carolina cogongrass survey- Volunteers needed!
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Clemson University is conducting a cogongrass survey on May 15-18, 2008. Hundreds of volunteers are needed. For more information please visit http://www.clemson.edu/for/cogon_survey.htm .
Treasure Forest to host forest owner workshop in Troy,Alabama.
Workshop for forest owners and people interested in the forests of Alabama. Information can be found at: http://www.troymessenger.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/news05.txt . Article also gives some good information on cogongrass.
