Cogongrass in Georgia: Spring 2010 Update 
Spring is the time for cogongrass flowering. 
Now is the time to begin looking for cogongrass in its flowering stage. The flowers are 2-8 inches in length; light, fluffy dandelion-like seeds that are white in color and cylindrical in shape. Flowering time is dependent on the local climate, but is usually present from late March through early June. 
 
Photos by: Bill Lamp, GFC Forester 
 
Landowners are encouraged to spend time on their property searching for this invasive grass. Normally, cogongrass grows in circular patches. Identification brochures are available at your local Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) county office. Personnel from your local GFC office can make a positive identification on reported cogongrass finds. 
What is the Status of all known cogongrass spots in Georgia? 
There are a total of 355 known cogongrass spots scattered across 38 counties in Georgia. Treatment for each cogongrass spot is at varying levels. The GFC has eradicated some spots while other spots are still being actively treated. The GFC will begin making follow-up site inspections and treatments beginning in May. Any landowner with questions regarding the status of the cogongrass spot(s) on their property should contact their regional forest health specialist. 
 
List of Georgia Counties with known cogongrass 
 
Baker 
 
9 
 
Barrow 1 
 
Brantley 4 
 
Brooks 
 
1 
 
Calhoun 2 
 
Camden 1 
 
Carroll 
 
31 
 
Catoosa 1 
 
Charlton 12 
 
Clarke 
 
1 
 
Clinch 
 
2 
 
Cobb 
 
1 
 
Colquitt 5 
 
Decatur 
 
82 
 
DeKalb 
 
1 
 
Dougherty 
 
1 
 
Douglas 
 
1 
 
Early 
 
22 
 
Echols 
 
8 
 
Grady 
 
26 
 
Haralson 
 
1 
 
Lee 
 
1 
 
Marion 
 
9 
 
McDuffie 
 
1 
 
Meriwether 1 
 
Miller 
 
24 
 
Mitchell 
 
12 
 
Muscogee 1 
 
Newton 
 
1 
 
Paulding 
 
2 
 
Randolph 
 
6 
 
Richmond 1 
 
Seminole 
 
48 
 
Stewart 
 
2 
 
Talbot 
 
5 
 
Thomas 
 
16 
 
Troup 
 
3 
 
Worth 
 
9 
 
38 counties with a total of 355 sites as of March 29, 2010 ranging in size from <0.1 to >10.0 totaling 107 acres 
 
 Cogongrass identification brochure and pocket ID available from the GFC: 
Contact your Regional Forest Health Specialist to obtain copies of the following publications. 
 
Forest Health Specialists: 
North Region Scott Griffin 3005 Atlanta Hwy. Gainesville, GA 30507 770-538-2666 sgriffin@gfc.state.ga.us 
Central Region Mark Raines 1508 Hwy. 25 S. Waynesboro, GA 30830 706-437-6896 mraines@gfc.state.ga.us 
Southwest Region Mark McClure 2910 Newton Rd. Albany, GA 31701 229-430-5122 mmcclure@gfc.state.ga.us 
Southeast Region Chip Bates 18899 US Hwy. 301 N. Statesboro, GA 30461 912-681-0490 cbates@gfc.state.ga.us 
 
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