Ag Line: Invasive Species - Cogon Grass
By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator

Cogon Grass growing in pasture

Have you ever heard of cogon grass? No, it's not a grass you would plant in the front or back yard of your home. In fact, cogon grass is an invasive weed that already has infested more than 1 million acres nationwide and continues to spread across the parched southeast. Cogon grass is a very serious issue that will affect landowners and farmers sooner rather than later.

Cogon grass, known for its fluffy, silvery-white seed heads, has coaxed its way into Georgia's gardens, forests and highway medians across the region where control and eradication programs have kicked into high gear. Cogon grass actually resembles short pampas grass. The leaves can actually be a hazard due to its sharpness.

Cogon grass by definition is considered an invasive species, along with kudzu, privet, treeof heaven, and many more. Cogon grass was once used as packing material that arrived in Mobile on ships in 1912. At the time, cogon grass seemed harmless, even beautiful. However, forestry experts in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama warn it is a killer.

Cogon grass is on every continent except Antarctica and inhabits around 1.2 billion acres worldwide. Asia has lost about 500 million acres to the weed, and it continues to spread to an additional 370,000 acres each year. States, with the help of a federal grant awarded last year, are starting to coordinate efforts to study, survey, and control the spread of cogon grass.

A native of southeastern Asia, cogon grass chokes all competing vegetation. Cogon grass has the potential to kill off pine seedlings in forests and overtakes grazing land. This weed is so aggressive it could turn the region into a grassy savannah devoid of all native species if given enough time. Cogon grass spreads via equipment, especially equipment used to fight forest fires.

As far as I am aware of, cogon grass is not present in Jenkins County. I am writing this article to increase the public's awareness of this invasive species. If you or anyone else spots cogon grass, please call my office (478/982-4408) immediately. Even if you think cogon grass is on your place, call my office.

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