Gallery
Cogon grass — 'Rubra' cultivarCogon grass — Grassland
Cogon grass — Plant
Cogon grass — Leaves
Cogon grass — Inflorescence
Cogon grass — Clump by a pondCogon grass — 'Rubra' cultivarCogon grass — Grassland1 / 6
Overview
Imperata cylindrica forms dense stands via underground rhizomes, invading abandoned land and forest edges. Its leaves are stiff with sharp edges and seeds disperse by wind. It ranks among the worst tropical weeds.
Life cycle
From seed to productRhizome planting
Propagated by **rhizome**: divide healthy rhizomes into sections with 2–3 buds, trim the roots and plant in loose, moist soil.
Sprouting
Buds on the rhizome sprout, emerge from the soil and form new roots within 2–4 weeks.
Growth & flowering
The plant blooms with **silvery-white flower plumes, April–June**; pollination is by insects and wind.
New rhizomes & harvest
Foliage dies back and reserves move into the underground storage organ; **rhizomes dug year-round, best in autumn–winter**.
Uses
- Weed competing with crops
- Dry leaves for thatch and weaving
Properties
- Part
- Rhizome, leaves
- Trait
- Aggressive spreader
References
- 1Plants of the World Online — Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv. — Kew Science, 2026
- 2Imperata cylindrica (cogon grass) — mô tả, phân bố, tác hại — English Wikipedia, 2026
- 3Cỏ tranh — đặc điểm, công dụng, thân rễ — Vietnamese Wikipedia, 2026
- 4Nguồn ảnh: JMK (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Wikimedia Commons,
- 5Nguồn ảnh: Apurv013 (CC0) — Wikimedia Commons,
- 6Nguồn ảnh: Symoum Syfullah Priyo (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Wikimedia Commons,
- 7Nguồn ảnh: David J. Stang (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Wikimedia Commons,