small carpgrass (Arthraxon hispidus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON NAMES:

small carpgrass

jointhead grass

hairy jointgrass

 

SCIENTIFIC SYNONYMS:

Arthraxon ciliaris P. Beauv. var. cryptatherus Hack.

Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino var. cryptatherus (Hack.) Honda

Phalaris hispida Thunb.

 

TAXONOMY: The currently accepted scientific name for small carp-

grass is Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino.

 

NATIVE STATUS: Introduced, United States.

 

GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Small carpgrass is

a low-growing creeping annual grass in the Grass Family that grows to a

height of 1.5 feet. The ovate to lanceolate leaf blades are 0.75-2.75 inches

in length and 0.2-0.6 inches in width. There are hairs along the margins of

the leaf blades. The heart-shaped (cordate) bases of the leaves encircle the

sheath.  The individual flowers, or spikelets, are arranged in multiple spike-

like racemes, averaging about 1½ inches long, that terminate the stems.

The stems develop roots at the lower nodes. The seeds are slender and

yellowish in color, measuring 1/6-inch long.

 

REGENERATION PROCESS: Small carpgrass propogates itself by

seeds that can be dispersed by moving water.

 

HABITAT TYPES: Small carpgrass is often found in moist pastures and

fields, shaded upland woods, floodplain forests, stream banks, along shore-

lines, roads and trails where soils remain moist.

 

SITE CHARACTERISTICS: Small carpgrass prefers sunny moist hab-

itats.

 

SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT: Small carpgrass flowers appear from September to October.

 

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION: Small carpgrass occurs throughout the

eastern portion of the United States, from Florida to the lower New Eng-

land states and westward to Texas north to Nebraska. It does not occur

in upper mid-West, northern Plains, far southwest, Rocky Mountain

states or most of the Pacific coast states (except Oregon). It does not

occur in Canada.

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION:

 

Grass specimens can be found on trails marked in red.

 

       Bleak House
       Appalachian Trail/Old Trail
       South Ridge/North Ridge
       Gap Run
       Snowden
       Woodpecker Lane

       Sherman's Mill
       Rolling Meadows/ Lost Mountain
       Fish Pond

 

The specific distribution of small carpgrass has not been determined.

 

IMPORTANCES AND USES:  Small carpgrass was first observed in

Virginia in 1930s and may have been accidentally introduced. It can form

dense stands, particularly along shorelines that may threaten native vege-

tation. Jointhead grass often occurs with another highly invasive annual

grass species, Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum).

 

 

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