Alternative Names. Uruguayan pampas grass, silver pampas
grass.
General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life
form. Perennial, caespitose. Reproduction. Seed, rhizomes and
tillers. Dispersal. Wind, water, slashing, mammals, garden refuse.
Photosynthetic Pathway. C3. Seedbank persistence. 2 years.
Fire response. Resprouts.
Notes. Capable of altering vegetation structure and
decreasing diversity of invertebrate and vertebrate fauna. Often found in open
sunny sites which receive additional moisture. Capable of becoming established
on a wide variety of soil types. Sensitive to frost at the seedling stage but
becomes more frost tolerant with age. Also tolerant of drought, fire, salinity
and waterlogging. Intolerant of prolonged or intensive grazing especially when
plants are small. Reproduces both sexually and asexually. There are two sexual
forms: monoecious (bisexual) and female. Seed from female plants have long fine
hairs on the lemma making them suitable for wind dispersal; hermaphrodite seeds
lack these hairs. Female plants cannot produce viable seeds unless fertilized
from a hermaphrodite plant resulting in vast numbers of viable seeds from each
flower head. Hermaphrodites produce fewer viable seeds but are still able to
reproduce in the absence of females. Seeds are primarily wind-dispersed and are
able to disperse large distances. Seed can germinate under a wide range of
conditions, however germination is highest in sandy soils, with available water
and under shaded conditions compared with complete light. Recruitment and
survival of seedlings is enhanced by soil disturbance and can be impacted by
presence of generalist herbivores.
Additional information. Origin. South America,
including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uraguay. History of
use/introduction. Garden ornamental, windbreaks, fodder for stock.
Similar exotic species. Cortaderia jubata.
Suggested method of management and control. Cut out small
plants, remove uprooted plants to avoid them resprouting. Treat young plants
with13ml/L Fusilade Forte® + spray oil or for generic fluazifop-p (212g/L active
ingredient) 8mL/L + spray oil. May require more than one application.
Alternatively foliar spray glyphosate at 4%. Remove flower heads. Slash/burn
clumps. Spray regrowth with 1% glyphosate in spring. Read the manufacturers'
labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further
information consult the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your
situation or state.
Management Calendar
Calendar Type |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Comments |
Active Growth |
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Germination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Flowering |
O |
O |
O |
O |
O |
O |
Y |
Y |
Y |
O |
O |
O |
Can flower opportunistically |
Optimum Treatment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly,
O = Occasionally, U =
Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.
References
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Australia. C.H. Jerram and Associates, Melbourne.
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Evolution, 27 (4): 663-678.
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(Cortaderia selloana). URL: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/PC_93104.html?s=1001
- Accessed October 2009.
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germination under different ecological conditions. Acta Oecologica,
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(Cortadera jubata). Weed Science, 52:
525-530.
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- Accessed October 2009.
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Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f) Aschers. & Graebner,
Poaceae. URL: http://www.hear.org/pier/ - Accessed
October 2009.
- USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources
Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory,
Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
- Accessed October 2009.
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Pampas grass eradication (brochure)..