Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.
Pampas Grass

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

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

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

References

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• Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (2007) Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). URL: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/PC_93104.html?s=1001 - Accessed October 2009.
• Domènecha, R. & Vilà, M. (2008) Cortaderia selloana seed germination under different ecological conditions. Acta Oecologica, 33 (1): 93-96.
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• Roser, D. & Vila, M. (2006) The role of successional stage, vegetation type and soil disturbance in the invasion of the alien grass Cortaderia selloana. Journal of Vegetation Science, 17: 591-598.
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• Texas invasive plant and pest council (2007) Cortaderia selloana. URL: http://www.texasinvasives.org/ - Accessed October 2009.
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• 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.
• Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Murdoch Branch (Undated) Pampas grass eradication (brochure)..