HI All,

One of our partners in Yolo County is excited about using "vetiver grass" for bank stabilization along an irrigation ditch.

From Google:

Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver is a perennial bunchgrass of the family Poaceae, native to India. Vetiver is most closely related to Sorghum but shares many morphological characteristics with other fragrant grasses, such as lemongrass, citronella, and palmarosa.

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) is a densely tufted, perennial clump grass with stiff leaf bases which overlap. It forms narrow, dense hedges when planted along the contours of sloping land, slowing down run-off and helping the water soak into the soil rather than washing off the slope.

And: 

http://www.drylandsfarmingcompany.com/vetiver-grass

 

Does anyone know if this grass is invasive (not-native, fast growing...looks suspicious to me)?  Of course we would like the landowner to plant native bunch grasses instead and are gathering info for our case.

Thank you!

Tanya Meyer

Yolo County Resource Conservation District