Morristown National Historical Park - Grasses

Morristown National Historical Park by National Parks Service

There are many grass-like plants that occur in the park. Rushes, sedges and grasses all look similar. But upon closer inspection, there are differences. Sedges usually have a triangular stem (sedges have edges), rushes have round stems and grasses usually have a flattened stem.

One invasive non-native grass, Japanese Wiregrass or Stiltgrass ( Microstegium vimineum) has spread rapidly during the last two decades and forms a dense carpet over approximately 50% of the forest floor. Native sedges also can be found in the park, forming dense carpets along the forest floor.