DATE: April 21, 2009

CONTACT: Marguerite Porter, 864-878-1394
marguer@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, 864-656-4741
spalmer@clemson.edu

Clemson extension needs volunteers to look for cogongrass in Pickens County

PICKENS — The Pickens County extension office is seeking volunteers to search out one of the world's most invasive species — cogongrass — which threatens to overtake the native habitat.

A native of Asia, cogongrass spreads through wind-blown seed and rhizomes, and once established can choke out native plants, destroy sources of food for wildlife and raise the potential for forest fires, according to Marguerite Porter, 4-H extension agent for Pickens County. Wildfires among the dry winter grass can burn at 800 degrees with flames that shoot high enough to kill 15-foot pine trees.

"We need volunteers to help us find cogongrass," Porter said. "May begins the time to be on the lookout for the grass, during its flowering stage."

Volunteers will look for cogongrass at places where landscape plants are sold, along power lines, highways and railroads, and at parks, boat landings, campgrounds, hunt clubs, and cattle and horse farms, even deer processing facilities.

To become a volunteer, contact Porter at 864-878-1394 or marguer@clemson.edu.