Invasive Japanese stiltgrass found in Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

Japanese stiltgrass, from State of Michigan invasive species alert

Invasive species Japanese stiltgrass, scientific name Microstegium vimineum, has been found in the Manchester Township portion of Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve.

Japanese stiltgrass was first reported in Michigan on September 1, 2016 in nearby Scio Township. Since then it has also been detected in Lenewee, Oakland, and Cass Counties. 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.

Allison Krueger, Stewardship Manager for Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, explained that the stiltgrass was discovered by a knowledgeable hiker who reached out to the county staff with concern. She stated, “We have since found populations along a former ATV track that runs through the woods in the Washtenaw County portion of the preserve. We are still surveying the site so I can’t offer a complete map yet.”

Krueger, who works with Katie Carlisle on stewardship for the county, stated, “We are very concerned with stiltgrass as it is an aggressive species known for diminishing biodiversity and other natural resources.” Stiltgrass produces 100-1,000 seeds per plant and can spread rapidly by water flow, wildlife, foot, and vehicular traffic. Deer will browse native plants and avoid stiltgrass, which allows for additional spreading.

The county is coordinating with the Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (JWL CISMA). Shikha Singh, PhD., Coordinator/Biologist for JWL CISMA explained that management efforts will be organized more by Washtenaw County Parks since they actually own the land but that the two organizations have a good working relationship and that JWL CISMA can provide input or work on a grant with them.

The county, which co-manages Watkins Lake with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is communicating with the MDNR staff on their efforts.

Krueger stated, “We are still working on our plan for management, but we are expecting to treat all discovered populations next year. It is too late to treat this year as the annual plants have gone to seed. We will also be reaching out to inform the community of the new invader and will likely be coordinating volunteer or educational opportunities about stiltgrass in 2021 to the Manchester community.”

The state has good information on stiltgrass identification and concerns here: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/0,5664,7-324-68002_71240_73849-367880–,00.html

Japanese stiltgrass, from State of Michigan invasive species alert

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.