Arkansas Land Conservation Assistance Network

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is an invasive, non-native grass which occurs in the southeastern United States. A pest in 73 countries and considered to be one to the "Top 10 Worst Weeds in the World", cogongrass affects pine productivity and survival, wildlife habitat, recreation, native plants, fire behavior, site management costs and more. Cogongrass has several common names, including japgrass, Japanese bloodgrass, Red Baron or speargrass. Learn more from the Mississippi Forestry Commission

Cogongrass is currently documented in 62 of the 82 counties in Mississippi and has become a serious problem for land managers in the southern part of the state. To report a sighting of this invasive grass, call Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce - Bureau of Plant Industry at (662) 325-3390.

The top 10 worst invasives listed by Wildlife Mississippi are:

• Cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica
• Kudzu,  Pueraria montana
• Chinese Tallow, Triadica sebifera
• Privet – Chinese/European, Ligustrum sinense
• Privet – Japanese/Glossy, Ligustrium japonicum
• Alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides
• Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica 
• Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense
• Tropical Soda Apple, Solanum viarum 
• Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria