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  • Several silver grass seed-heads sticking out upright on top of green stems and a blue sky in the background.
    The flower of creeping miscanthus is plume-like, resembling corn tassels, and held high above the foliage.
  • Walking path on the left side and growing next to mowed turf grass on the right side is an unmowed clump of grass with white, fluffy seedheads prominently displayed in the foreground of the photo.
    Flowers become fluffy and white when ripe.
  • A close-up image of leaves and stems on top of a wooden plant press. The leaves are wide with a distinct white mid-vein and stems are round with nodes that have short hairs.
    The leaves of creeping miscanthus are arching, light green with a white midrib.
  • A two-lane road is on the far-right side of the photo, and in the center is a clump of grass with distinct white, fluffy seedheads. It is growing in an opening along the road. There is a forested area with trees with green leaves behind the clump of grass.
    Roadside infestation of creeping miscanthus.
  • A close-up image of several strands of seed. The seeds are branching out from each individual strand. Each seed is topped with a fluffy tuft of hair.
    Seeds are small and covered in long hairs.
  • In the foreground is ground topped with frost. The middle of the image has dried, brown grass with upright white tufts of seed. The background is a wooded area with no foliage.
    Creeping miscanthus in its dormant phase in winter.

Common names: Creeping miscanthus, Silver Banner Grass
Scientific name: Miscanthus saccariflorus (Maxim.) Franch.
Alternate name: Amur silvergrass

Legal status

Restricted

Propagation and sale of this plant are prohibited in Minnesota. Transportation is only allowed when in compliance with Minnesota Statute 18.82. Although restricted noxious weeds are not required to be controlled or eradicated by law, landowners are strongly encouraged to manage these invasive plants on their properties to reduce spread into new areas. 

Background

Creeping miscanthus was first introduced to the United States in the late 1800s and has been used for decades as an ornamental landscape species. It is a perennial warm season grass that turns reddish orange in fall and produces showy white flowerheads.

Description

  • Creeping miscanthus is a perennial grass that grows 6 to 8 feet tall. It is an attractive ornamental that grows vigorously, forming dense colonies.
  • The leaves are arching, light green, and have a white midrib. They are less than 1 inch wide, blade-like, and sprout from nodes along the stem. Leaf edges are saw-toothed and sharp and can potentially cut skin, so gloves should be worn when handling this plant.
  • Flowers are plume-like, resemble corn tassels, and are held high above the foliage. They are silver when opening, becoming fluffy and white when ripe. Plants bloom from late summer to early fall. When dry, flower heads often persist through winter. The inflorescence of creeping miscanthus is smaller and more upright than that of its relative, M. sinensis, which tends to be droopier.
  • Seeds are small and covered in long hairs.
  • Stems are pale yellow to green during the growing season, becoming red to pale brown in fall. Stem nodes are covered with hair-like structures.
  • Roots are rhizomatous, spreading through underground stems.

Habitat

Creeping miscanthus prefers wet soils but will grow in most soils that are not too dry. It spreads more easily in moist areas than in dry areas. It prefers full sun but can also grow in partial shade.

It is native to wet lowlands in northeastern China, Korea, Japan, and Russia. In Minnesota, it is often found around pond edges, woodland edges and railways, and can invade disturbed habitats.

Means of spread and distribution

Creeping miscanthus mainly spreads through rhizomatous roots. Rhizome fragments that move to new locations, for example via flooding, can result in a new infestation. Low levels of seed production have been documented in Minnesota and Iowa. It is more likely to spread in wet areas, such as along stream corridors or pond edges. It is quite tolerant of wind; its flowers are wind pollinated and seeds are dispersed by wind.

Creeping miscanthus can be found planted as an ornamental across many areas of the United States, especially the Northeast and the Midwest. It has been known to escape plantings and invade nearby natural areas.

Its potential ability to hybridize with M. sinensis may be an issue as hybrids of these two species may be able to produce prolific amounts of seed. Hybrids have been documented in Japan and Korea.

Impact

Creeping miscanthus can form large monocultures, and these are typically dense. Because of that growth form, creeping miscanthus crowds out native plants. It tends to escape when planted ornamentally and can spread via roadsides to sunny, open areas such as native prairies or woodland borders.

Prevention and management

  • Prevent the spread by not planting this species as an ornamental and working on eradication of any existing plants in your yard or property.
  • Management is best done with a combination of chemical and mechanical means.
  • Hand pulling, ensuring to get the entire root, may be possible on small infestations. Hand pulling is best done prior to flowering. Continued monitoring and follow-up are needed to control resprouts. Herbicide control is best done in late winter or early spring when plants are about 1 foot tall. Contact U of M Extension for best herbicide recommendations.
  • Mowing is best done twice per season while actively growing, or monthly, if possible, followed by herbicide work. Dormant mowing will encourage spring growth, so do not mow at that time.
  • Flowerheads or plumes should be cut and bagged in the fall to prevent the potential spread of seed.
  • Fire can encourage more growth; fire could knock it back but should be followed up by herbicide control.
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