703-324-8700
TTY 711
Jai Cole,
Executive Director
The Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program finds new populations of certain invasive species through methodical surveys and then eradicates them before they cause serious ecological harm in county parks. The program adds information to Early Detection and Distribution (EDD) maps that track invasive species across the country. EDRR volunteers work under the direction of a volunteer survey leader, and they can work in a park near their home. This volunteer-led program gives people with botanical knowledge an opportunity to connect with each other and a chance to give back to the community by protecting the county's bountiful natural resources. Volunteers need to have some experience identifying local native and invasive species.
Volunteer survey leaders:
For information or to join EDRR, call 703-324-8750.
Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) is a low-lying, trailing perennial grass that is less than one foot tall. Its flat leaf blades are about one-half to one inch wide and 1.5 to 4 inches long, have elongated pointed tips and are rippled. It is noticeably hairy where the leaf attaches to the stem, although the hairs are very short. Individual stems connect to each other underground. When the plant blooms, from mid-September through November, the grass sends up a spike that has seeds along it. Seeds are sticky and can stick to clothes, boots, etc.
