LANSING — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says invasive stiltgrass has been found in several southern Michigan state game areas, including Augusta Creek, Barry, and Petersburg.
The discovery came through surveys by the state’s new public lands response team. Biologists manually removed or treated the grass and will continue monitoring the sites.
Stiltgrass, also called Japanese stiltgrass, is a fast-spreading invasive plant that thrives in disturbed soils and can produce up to 1,000 seeds per plant. It poses a threat because deer don’t eat it, which allows it to take over areas where native plants are browsed.
Officials encourage anyone who sees suspected stiltgrass to report it with photos to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network at MISIN.MSU.edu.
More information on identification and prevention is available at Michigan.gov/Invasives.