Introduction
Black Henbane
Buffalobur
Canada Thistle
Common Crupina
Dalmatian Toadflax
Diffuse Knapweed
Dyer's Woad
Field Bindweed
Hoary Cress
Johnsongrass
Jointed Goatgrass
Leafy Spurge
Matgrass
Meadow Hawkweed
Meadow Knapweed
Milium
Musk Thistle
Orange Hawkweed
Perennial Pepperweed
Perennial Sowthistle
Poison Hemlock
Puncturevine
Purple Loosestrife
Rush Skeletonweed
Russian Knapweed
Scotch Broom
Scotch Thistle
Silverleaf Nightshade
Skeletonleaf Bursage
Spotted Knapweed
Syrian Beancaper
Tansy Ragwort
Toothed Spurge
Yellow Starthistle
Yellow Toadflax

Idaho OnePlan recommends the website of the Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign as the best resource for up-to-date information about Idaho's noxious weeds, and their control.
Source for this page: Idaho's Noxious Weeds by Robert H. Callihan & Timothy W. Miller

BACKGROUND

Matgrass (Nardus stricta) is native to Eastern Europe. It reproduces mostly through transport of tufts in mud clinging to the hooves of grazing animals. It is a coarse-textured grass that is not palatable to most livestock, and it eliminates other vegetation within each dense tuft. Matgrass is generally found in seasonally saturated mountain meadows.

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DESCRIPTION

Matgrass is a slow-growing perennialPlant that lives for more than 2 growing seasons bunchgrass, with tufts reaching 3 feet across or more. Leaves are grasslike, up to ¼ inch wide but appearing narrower because blades are tightly folded along the midribThe center and usually most prominent vein on a leaf. The blade spreads at nearly a right angle to the stem. The liguleThe structure at the collar of a grass leaf between the sheath and the stem is short and membranousThin and flexible, usually not green; auriclesLobelike structure at the collar of a grass leaf are lacking. Stems grow up to 8 inches tall and are tipped by inconspicuous slender spikesA narrow, nonspreading inflorescence that emerge in midsummer and bear all spikelets on one side of the stem. Spikelets are tiny and straw colored and tipped by short, straight awnsSlender bristle at the tip of grass seed structure. Tufts are tightly rooted and hard to remove.

DISTRIBUTION

Matgrass is found in a few places in the northeast U.S. and sparingly in Idaho.

CONTROL

Matgrass has no biological control agents. Herbicides can kill individual tufts, which are easily hidden by vegetation. Broadcast application of non-selective herbicides are likely needed for eradication.