Fauna
Plant

Wavyleaf Basketgrass

Oplismenus undulatifolius

Also known as Wavy-leaf Basket Grass

Wavyleaf basketgrass carpets deciduous forest floors in dense, sprawling mats that smother native seedlings and spring ephemerals. Branching stems root at each node, allowing patches to expand rapidly across shaded woodlands where few other exotic grasses thrive. In late summer, spikelets produce stiff, sticky awns that produce a viscous fluid, readily hitchhiking on passing animals, hiker boots, and gear.

InvasiveForest UnderstoryPerennial Grass
Wavyleaf Basketgrass reference
(c) harum.koh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by harum.koh · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
ThreatsHerbicidal suppression and physical eradication campaigns in invaded ranges
HabitatsDeciduous forest floors, riparian corridors, woodland margins, and trail edges
Life spanPerennial (several years per clone)
Classification
  1. OrderPoales
  2. FamilyPoaceae
  3. GenusOplismenus
  4. SpeciesOplismenus undulatifolius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Check Gear: Inspect footwear, clothing, and pets carefully to remove sticky seeds before leaving infested trails.
  • Identification: Look for distinctly rippling, undulating leaf blades with hair-tipped sheaths and elongated sticky awns.
  • Report Sightings: Document new patches with local conservation groups or forestry agencies to slow its spread.
Related species
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