N.C. to ban cogongrass

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina Agriculture Department officials hope to head off an invasive grass known as cogongrass before it becomes the next kudzu.

The department said Monday that propagation, nursery cultivation, sale and distribution of cogongrass will be prohibited.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports nurseries and garden centers must stop selling all versions of cogongrass, also known as Japanese blood grass, by Oct. 31.

Home gardeners won't be required to rip out one version, Red Baron, which is attractive for its blood-red leaves and often is used in Japanese gardens.

Rick Iverson with the Agriculture Department says the grass has not taken hold in North Carolina. But it has spread through at least eight Southern states, including South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.