Imperata cylindrica

Cogongrass
Imperata cylindrica in Susami, Wakayama, Japan with mature seed heads
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Imperata
Species:
I. cylindrica
Binomial name
Imperata cylindrica
Synonyms
List
    • Calamagrostis lagurus (L.) Koeler
    • Imperata allang Jungh.
    • Imperata angolensis Fritsch
    • Imperata arundinacea Cirillo
    • Imperata dinteri Pilg.
    • Imperata filifolia Nees ex Steud.
    • Imperata koenigii (Retz.) P.Beauv.
    • Imperata laguroides (Pourr.) J.Roux
    • Imperata latifolia (Hook.f.) L.Liu
    • Imperata pedicellata Steud.
    • Imperata praecoquis Honda
    • Imperata robustior A.Chev.
    • Imperata sieberi Opiz
    • Imperata thunbergii P.Beauv.
    • Lagurus cylindricus L.
    • Saccharum cylindricum (L.) Lam.
    • Saccharum europeaum Pers.
    • Saccharum koenigii Retz.
    • Saccharum laguroides Pourr.
    • Saccharum sisca Cav.
    • Saccharum spicatum J.Presl
    • Saccharum thunbergii Retz.

Imperata cylindrica (commonly known as cogongrass /kˈɡn/ or kunai grass /ˈkn/) is a species of perennial rhizomatous grass native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia, Africa, and Southern Europe. It has also been introduced to Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Southeastern United States. It is a highly flammable pyrophyte, and can spread rapidly by colonizing disturbed areas and encouraging more frequent wildfires.