Mary’s Grass

Biological Name:

Mary’s-Grass – Echinochloa crus-galli

Natural Habitat:

The natural habitat of Mary’s-Grass is likely grassy areas, such as fields and meadows, in a variety of geographic regions.

Description:

Mary’s-grass is a type of grass that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Poaceae family which also includes plants such as wheat and corn. Mary’s-grass is an annual or perennial plant that produces small green or brown flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas Mary’s-grass is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why is Japanese stiltgrass a problem?
A: It expands into dense stands of grass that prevent desirable vegetation from growing. Areas infested with Japanese stiltgrass have decreased biodiversity. In addition to the early-season plants that are typically crowded out by invasive species, late-season grasses, sedges, and herbs are also affected.
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Q: What kills Japanese stiltgrass?
A: Glyphosate and Glufossinate (various trade names) can be used to spot treat Japanese stiltgrass in gardens and planting beds. Both are broad spectrum herbicides that should be applied only to the unwanted plants.
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Q: How does Japanese stiltgrass spread?
A: Stiltgrass spreads through a high production of seeds and also by sprouting new shoots from the stems that come in contact with the ground. A single plant may produce between 100 and 1,000 seeds that can remain viable in the soil for at least three years.
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Q: Should Japanese blood grass be cut back?
A: Avoid cutting back Japanese bloodgrass until early spring (before new growth begins). At that time, cut back bloodgrass to the ground or simply give it a haircut to remove winter damage.
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Q: Should Japanese forest grass be cut back?
A: This grass requires little maintenance, other than cutting the dead leaves back in late winter or early spring.
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Q: When should you spray stilt grass?
A: Applied 2 to 3 weeks before seed germination, it can prevent germination and reestablishment of stiltgrass. However, a pre-emergent herbicide will have little effect on plants that are already present.
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Q: How do you prevent Stiltgrass?
A: Mulch the soil in your ornamental beds to exclude light and stop stiltgrass from germinating. Maintain a healthy, dense lawn that competes with and prevents the establishment of weeds. If you mow your lawn too short and too often it will be more prone to stiltgrass infestation.
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Q: What herbicide kills Stiltgrass?
A: Glyphosate and Glufossinate (various trade names) can be used to spot treat Japanese stiltgrass in gardens and planting beds. Both are broad spectrum herbicides that should be applied only to the unwanted plants.
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Q: Is it better to spray weeds in the morning or evening?
A: Research shows PPO herbicides more effective at midday. Summary: Some herbicides are more effective when applied at noon compared to early morning or late evening applications, new research indicates. Researchers say the results have long-term implications for weed management.
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Q: What month Should I spray weeds?
A: The best time to treat weeds is when they are actively growing. This means you should start spraying and treating in the spring, usually sometime in April. You’ll have to maintain your weed-killing regiment into late September/early October. It’s best not to jump the gun when using weed killers.
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Q: Can you spray weeds in March?
A: If you start too early in March, you might find yourself out spraying for weeds when the air temperature is 65 degrees but the soil temperature is still too cold for the weed killer to work just yet. You might consider waiting a few more weeks and let that soil temperature warm up a little more.
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Q: Is it better to spray for crabgrass before or after mowing?
A: For best control, herbicide should generally be applied in September or October, and current recommendations for systemic broadleaf herbicides are to withhold mowing at least 2 days before or after an application.
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Q: How do you identify stiltgrass?
A: Taller plants typically lie flat along the ground or propped up against other vegetation. Plants usually have multiple weak stems, with aerial rootlets near the base, giving rise to the common name ‘stiltgrass’. The leaves are short with smooth edges and a noticeable silvery midrib on older leaves.
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Q: How do you get rid of stiltgrass?
A: Glyphosate and Glufossinate (various trade names) can be used to spot treat Japanese stiltgrass in gardens and planting beds. Both are broad spectrum herbicides that should be applied only to the unwanted plants. If applied to the foliage, stems, or woody portions of desirable plants, it could damage them as well.
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Q: Can you burn stiltgrass?
A: This is after the spring ephemeral bloom. It is also after the time that many perennial seeds will germinate. True, burning stiltgrass clears away last year’s stiltgrass thatch and allows stiltgrass to grow back even thicker and lusher.
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Q: How tall does Japanese stiltgrass grow?
A: Growing one to three feet tall, Japanese stiltgrass has a sprawling, mat-like manner. At the end of the season, the plant dies back; in heavily infested areas it produces a thick layer of dried, tannish thatch.
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Q: How did Japanese stiltgrass get to America?
A: U.S. Distribution: Japanese stiltgrass was first documented in Tennessee in 1919, introduced as a packing material for goods from Asia. It has spread across much of the eastern U.S. as far north as New Hampshire and as far south as Texas.
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Q: Can you burn Japanese stiltgrass?
A: This is after the spring ephemeral bloom. It is also after the time that many perennial seeds will germinate. True, burning stiltgrass clears away last year’s stiltgrass thatch and allows stiltgrass to grow back even thicker and lusher.
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Q: What kills Japanese stiltgrass?
A: Glyphosate and Glufossinate (various trade names) can be used to spot treat Japanese stiltgrass in gardens and planting beds. Both are broad spectrum herbicides that should be applied only to the unwanted plants.
Source

Q: How do you stop Japanese stiltgrass from spreading?
A: To control small populations of Japanese stiltgrass, remove the plants by hand or mow in early August before the plants go to seed. If mowing occurs after the seeds set, seeds can be easily transported to new locations on contaminated equipment. Always clean equipment after use in areas with invasive plant seed.
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Q: Can you compost Japanese stiltgrass?
A: Be sure to dispose of the pulled grass in the trash; don’t add it to the compost pile. Unfortunately, because plant parts can root and the seed can be viable for years, you’ll have to stay on top of removing this weed for the upcoming growing seasons.
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Q: What is life cycle for Japanese stiltgrass?
A: Stiltgrass lives for but one year — or, maybe forever Stiltgrass is what’s called a “summer annual.” Like crabgrass, it dies off completely over winter. But, before winter hits, it drops a ton of seed. That seed germinates in the spring, and you have a new crop of stiltgrass popping up right where the old stuff was.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.