ENTS:

In a recent e-mail exchange from a person at the New England Wild Flower Society I learned that Japanese stiltgrass has now arrived in western Massachusetts and includes a patch in Amherst and a 2+ mile stretch of Bardwells Ferry Road between Conway and Shelburne Massachusetts.  I have inquired whether the Microstegium has started to spread down towards Conway Station and the South River.

There was some sort of organized pull this year  but it sounds like there is a lot more to do.

It is a plant that will not benefit the native woods of New England and could have the potential of creating a danger of seasonal forest fires where none has ever existed.

I would encourage ENTS trekking in the woods of the northeast to learn how to identify the stuff so you don't inadvertantly move seeds around in the soles of your boots.  Japanese stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum, is an invasive annual grass with extremely small seeds (500,000+/pound).  It is becoming one of the most heavily studied invasive plants in the country because of the developing laundry list of envionmental and ecological problems associated with its arrival and spread.  

Yes, Michele, it is in front of your house....

Russ