Oplismenus undulatifolius

Wavyleaf Basketgrass
[non-native species - considered highly invasive]

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: August - October

Wavyleaf Basketgrass is a highly-invasive shallow-rooted perennial. It has stolons that allow it to easily creep along the surface and create a carpet. Its ripe seeds have sticky awns which cling easily to clothing or fur, facilitating its spread.

Wavyleaf Basketgrass leaves have a clear ripple running across their width (giving it its common name). The leaves are simple, entire, have an alternate arrangement, and usually have a terminal leaf. The leaves do not clasp around the stem, but almost appear to. The stems are fuzzy with short hairs.

Wavyleaf basketgrass is a shade tolerant species that can be found in full canopy forests, full shady riparian habitat, and forest edges.

It can be initially confused with Small Carpetgrass (Arthraxon hispidus). They are both low-growing and creeping grasses, like moist soils, similar leaf shapes and arrangement, and have the ripples across the leaves. However, Small Carpetgrass leaves are heart-shaped and short, and do clasp around the stem. Small Carpetgrass will typically be found in sunny, rather than shady areas.

9 June 2024 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	30 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	9 June 2024 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	27 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA
27 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	27 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	30 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	30 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA (showing underside of 1 leaf)
30 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	27 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	30 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA	30 September 2025 Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA

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