Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)
Cogongrass, also known as Bladey grass, Silver spikegrass, Alang-alang
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) poses a significant fire risk and demonstrates remarkable resilience after wildfires due to several factors:
1. **Highly Flammable**: Its pointed, sharp blades are highly flammable, even when not fully dried, making it prone to ignite and spread fires rapidly.
2. **Rhizome Survival**: Underground rhizomes remain intact and unharmed during fires, allowing the plant to regrow quickly and dominate the landscape post-fire.
3. **Aggressive Growth**: The species regenerates swiftly, outpacing native vegetation and maintaining its presence through rapid recolonization.
Additionally, Cogongrass has cultural uses in Southeast Asia, where it is traditionally utilized for thatching roofs and crafting woven items like bags and mats.