Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Thursday - July 15, 2010
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Are non-seeding Bermudgrass hybrids invasive?
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Since Cynodon dactylon (Bermudagrass) is listed as an invasive species (texasinvasives.org), do you feel the non-seed producing Bermudagrass hybrids would also be considered invasive? Assuming a hybrid Bermudagrass does not produce a seed, then seeds would not be carried via stormwater or wind into unwanted areas of the eco-system. Or, should ALL Bermudagrass varieties be considered invasive and be avoided.ANSWER:
We should first state that Bermudagrass is often considered invasive in Texas and other southern parts of the US, but not everywhere.
While hybrid strains of Bermudagrass may produce no or few seeds, it can spread very easily vegetatively. Vegetative spread of invasive species is common. Many of Texas' aquatic weeds such as Giant Salvinia, Hydrilla and Water Hyacinth as well as terrestrial species like Giant Cane and Golden Bamboo are spread mostly, or in some cases, exclusively by vegetative means.
We recommend that folks avoid cultivating any plant species within its invasive range.
More Invasive Plants Questions
Non-native Tradescantia spathacea in Austin
July 10, 2011 - Can a moses in the cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) plant be planted in a landscape setting with part sun of up to six hours in this texas heat?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on native plants
March 26, 2004 - What is a native species?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on vitex
May 12, 2005 - I recently purchased a vitex tree and I don't know anything about it other that it blooms. Can you tell me everything there is about this tree?
view the full question and answer
How do I get rid of KR Bluestem in my yard in Harper, TX?
August 23, 2010 - I have something in my yard that has washed down from the pasture beside us. I think maybe it is KR Bluestem, how do I get rid of it? I cannot keep up with the digging of it, Help!
view the full question and answer
Can bastard cabbage be eaten from Austin
May 02, 2013 - On a local cooking show they were talking about cooking local foods and mentioned bastard cabbage but never showed how to cook it or if it was in fact edible. Would be a way to help get rid of it if ...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
