General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life
form. Perennial, stoloniferous/rhizomatous. Reproduction.
Rhizomes, stolons. Dispersal. Grazing animals, garden refuse, soil
movement. Photosynthetic pathway. C4. Seedbank persistence.
Rarely sets seed. Fire response. resprouts.
Notes. Grows rapidly forming dense mats. Favoured as a lawn
and pasture species, however can be serious weed of bushland particularly
riparian areas. Shades and inhibits growth of herbs and shrubs. Known to release
allelopathic substances which impact nearby species.
Additional information. Origin. Tropical eastern
Asia. History of use/introduction. Lawn, pasture, soil stabalisation.
Suggested method of management and control. Difficult to
manually control as all rhizomes must be removed. Spray with 1% glyphosate or
Fusilade® Forte at 16 ml/L + wetting agent or for generic fluazifop-p (212g/L
active ingredient) 10ml/L + wetting agent. 2-3 sprays over a single growing
season are often required. 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 |
| Dormant |
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
| Active Growth |
Y |
Y |
Y |
O |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Flowering |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
|
| Optimum Treatment |
Y |
O |
O |
O |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture (2001) Encycloweedia: The
noxious weeds data sheets. URL: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/encycloweedia/encycloweedia_hp.htm
- Accessed December 2007.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture (2001) Encycloweedia: The
noxious weeds data sheets. URL: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/encycloweedia/encycloweedia_hp.htm
- Accessed December 2007.
- 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.
- 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.
- Moore, J.H. & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their
control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.
- Moore, J.H. & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their
control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.
- Muyt, A. (2001) Bush invaders of South-East Australia: A guide to the
identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East
Australia. R.G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
- Muyt, A. (2001) Bush invaders of South-East Australia: A guide to the
identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East
Australia. R.G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
- Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (2008) Plant threats to Pacific
ecosystems. URL: http://www.hear.org/pier/scinames.htm
- Accessed January 2010.
- Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) (2000) Invasive plant species:
Pennisetum clandestium Hochst. Ex Chiov., Poaceae, Risk Assessment
Results. , http://www.hear.org/pier/pecla.htm.
- Parsons, J.M. (ed.) (1995) The Australian weed control handbook.
10th Edition. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
- Parsons, J.M. (ed.) (1995) The Australian weed control handbook.
10th Edition. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
- Wilen, C.A. & Holt, J.S. (1996) Physiological mechanisms for the rapid
growth of Pennisetum clandestinum in Mediterranean climates. Weed
Research, 36: 213-225.
- Wilen, C.A. & Holt, J.S. (1996) Physiological mechanisms for the rapid
growth of Pennisetum clandestinum in Mediterranean climates. Weed
Research, 36: 213-225.