Combating the invasive Cogongrass

A workshop takes place today near Columbia to allow Clemson University and the Nature Conservancy to wage battle against a nasty and noxious weed more prevalent than kudzu. According to Steve Compton, the war is on against the plant Cogongrass. “We need as many eyeballs as we can get to help us locate it so we can eradicate it from the Palmetto State.” Compton works for the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry and oversees the effort to eliminate Cogongrass. The invasive species made its way to America a century ago from its native Asia. He said, “It can easily displace native plants that are used by birds, animals and insects for forage, host plants and shelter. Cogongrass also can create a substantial fire hazard. This stuff is like gasoline,” he said.