The Maryland Native Plant Society

The Maryland Native Plant Society
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  • MNPS Meeting: "Wavyleaf Basketgrass Moves in Waves through Maryland Forests"

MNPS Meeting: "Wavyleaf Basketgrass Moves in Waves through Maryland Forests"

  • 06/24/2008
  • 7:30 PM
  • White Oak Library

Join Kerrie Kyde, Invasive Plant Specialist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), for a presentation on the rapidly-spreading, highly invasive Wavyleaf Basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius) in Maryland.  Two small populations of this Eurasian grass never previously found in the U.S. were discovered in Patapsco State Park by sharp-eyed botanists in 1996. Smithsonian Institution and international experts confirmed its identity as an exotic subspecies of a grass that is native to sub-tropical and tropical regions, including the southeastern coast of the U.S. The native grasses are Basketgrass (O. hirtellus) and its related native subspecies Bristle Basketgrass (O. hirtellus ssp. setarius). The exotic subspecies is Wavyleaf Basketgrass (O. hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius) [source Maryland DNR]. Kerrie will discuss the serious threats to forest ecosystems from this species, its identification, where it is known in the state, and control and eradication methods, including DNR's efforts.

There will be a mailing party before the meeting, starting at 6:30pm. Volunteers are welcome - the more helping hands, the merrier!

Location: White Oak Library - Large Meeting Room

Directions: Exit the Washington Beltway at New Hampshire Ave (exit 28). Go north about 2 miles. The library is the first building on the right, once you have passed under Route 29, just after the Sears store.

There will be refreshments and door prizes. Pot luck refreshments are always welcome.

The meeting is open to non-members.

Meetings take place on the last Tuesday of each month.

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