| itchgrass | USDA PLANTS Symbol: ROCO6 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Grass or Grasslike |
| Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W.D. Clayton |
Jump to: Resources | Images | Distribution Maps | Sources
|
Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae |
|
| Synonym(s): corngrass, raoulgrass | |
Itchgrass is an annual grass that invades disturbed and agricultural areas throughout the southeastern United States. Stems and leaves are covered with stiff, irritating hairs. Stems can reach a height of 1-10 ft. (0.3-3 m). The inflorescence is a jointed, cylindrical raceme, 1-6 in. (2.5-15.24) long. Under favorable conditions, itchgrass starts producing seeds 6-7 weeks after emergence. Seed production continues throughout the growing season. Leaf blades are 5.9-17.7 in. (15-45 cm) long, 0.2-0.8 in. (5-20 mm) wide and flat. Itchgrass invades agricultural fields and other disturbed areas. The hairs on the stems and leaves can cause severe irritation, and the plant is unpalatable to livestock and wildlife. Itchgrass is native to the Old World tropics, but it is currently widespread throughout the world’s tropical regions and in the southeastern United States. |
|
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
|
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Disseminules comprising internode with embedded spikelet and pedicel; far right: disseminule with pedicellate spikelet Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Caryopses in ventral view (left) and dorsal view (right) Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org |
 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. |
| Invasive Listing Sources: |
| Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council |
| Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council |
