[APWG] early-flowering stiltgrass

[Cynthia_Boettner at fws.gov]

Hi Angie,
Although here in western Massachasetts we are half expecting an earlier
seed set this year, so far it seems to be on a similar schedule as last
year.  Like you, in the past we haven't seen flowering until late August.
We still hadn't seen flowering here as of Aug. 11, the last time we were
out doing control work in Conway, MA.  Now that I've seen your email, I
will expect that our events scheduled for later this month may be tricky.
I am copying this message to collaborators in southern MA and southern CT
so they can weigh in as well.

Best,
Cynthia

Cynthia Boettner, Coordinator
Invasive Plant Control Initiative
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
103 E. Plumtree Rd.
Sunderland, MA  01375
Phone: 413-548-8002  ext. 115
FAX: 413-548-9725
Email:  Cynthia_Boettner at fws.gov



                                                                           
             Angie Shelton                                                 
             <anshelto at indiana                                             
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                                       [APWG] early-flowering stiltgrass   
                                                                           
             08/16/2012 09:37                                              
             AM                                                            
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           




Hello all,

I have noticed that Japanese stilt grass in south central Indiana started
setting seed by the first week of August this year.  Seed set in this area
usually begins in late August to early September. This year's seed set is
almost a full month earlier than usual.  Control efforts on this annual
plant need to be done before seed set to be effective, so an earlier
flowering time reduces the time for late-season management.

The earlier flowering could be a result of a warm, early spring that caused
stiltgrass and most native spring plants to germinate 3-4 weeks earlier
than usual.  It could also be due to a much warmer than usual
summer.  These causes are not mutually exclusive.

I am curious if Japanese stiltgrass is also flowering earlier than usual in
other regions.  If so, was germination also earlier than usual?  Summer
temperatures were probably warmer than usual across the entire range in the
eastern U.S.  What are the typical germination and flowering times in more
southern regions where the growing season is longer?  Being able to predict
flowering time across a range of conditions is important to know when the
deadline is to complete management efforts for the year.


Angie Shelton
Department of Biology
IU Research & Teaching Preserve
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
812-855-1674
anshelto at indiana.edu
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