Advanced Search

Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone
Elephant Grass

Reference
Ann.Bolus Herb. 106:129 (2010)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Dampierland, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Victoria Bonaparte.
IBRA Subregions
Dandaragan Plateau, Fitzroy Trough, Keep, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Pindanland.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Armadale, Broome, Busselton, Cockburn, Derby-West Kimberley, Gingin, Gosnells, Kalamunda, Nedlands, Perth, South Perth, Waroona, Wyndham-East Kimberley.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, rhizomatous/caespitose. Reproduction. Seed and rhizomes. Dispersal. Wind, animals, clothing, soil on vehicle tyres and machinery, roadside slashing/mowing. Photosynthetic Pathway. C4. Seedbank persistence. Possibly less than 12 months. Fire response. Resprouts.

Notes. Spreads rapidly into disturbed areas. Widespread and locally common on roadsides and pastural areas in parts of New South Wales, Victoria, southern Queensland and South Australia.

Additional information. Origin. North Africa. History of use/introduction. Ornamental. Similar exotic species. Pennisetum setaceum.

Suggested method of management and control. Individual plants can be manually removed. Best controlled as an immature plant, following fire and/or prior to flowering and seed set. Spray with 1% gyphosate. Thick old tussocks may be easier to control if burnt or slashed down to 10cm above ground and allowed to reshoot before applying herbicide. Requires vigilant follow-up. Use unplanned fire events to effectively control any regrowth. 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 O O             Y Y Y Y  
Germination       Y Y Y Y Y          
Flowering Y Y Y O O O O O Y Y Y Y  
Fruiting Y Y Y               Y Y  
Optimum Treatment     Y Y Y O O O O Y Y Y  

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

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • CRC Weed Management (2008) Weed Management Guide - Feathergrasses and mission grasses (Pennisetum species). CRC for Australian Weed Management, Canberra.
  • CRC Weed Management (2008) Weed Management Guide - Feathergrasses and mission grasses (Pennisetum species). CRC for Australian Weed Management, Canberra.
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (2009) Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schult. URL: http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/gbase/DATA/pf000179.htmwww.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/gbase/DATA/Pf000301.HTM - Accessed March 2010.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (2008) Plant threats to Pacific ecosystems. URL: http://www.hear.org/pier/scinames.htm - Accessed January 2010.
  • Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E.G. (2001) Noxious weeds of Australia. 2nd Edition. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.