ORIGIN

South Africa

COMMON NAME

African feather grass

BOTANICAL NAME

Pennisetum macrourum

IDENTIFICATION

Grass forming large clumps with rhizomes (underground stems). Seed head stalks 2 m or more tall. Similar plant to pampas but with a slender and smaller seed head.

HABITATS

Pastures, roadsides, wasteland and urban areas. Likes damp situations such as swamps and along the borders of streams, but can tolerate drought and establish on dry shady banks; prefers light sandy soil. In the Bay of Plenty Region most sites of African feather are found around the Rotorua Lakes.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Forms dense clumps that exclude other vegetation.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

New colonies will arise from moved or broken rhizomes. Barbed bristles on seed husk assist dispersal by wind and in animal hair.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Unpalatable to stock.

Disposal

Chemical Control
(i) Glyphosate - Handgun 1.5 litres Glyphosate + 150ml Penetrant/100 litres of water or Knapsack 150mls Glyphosate + 20mls Penetrant / 10 litres water.

(ii) Gallant and crop oil. Rate - Handgun 500 mls Gallant + 500mls crop oil or Uptake oil /100 litres water. Knapsack 150 mls Gallant + 50mls crop oil/10 litres water.

For further information and more detailed control methods please refer to Environment Bay of Plenty's Fact Sheet PP07-African Feather Grass

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
Spray annually to eradicate small isolated areas. Contain and reduce larger areas. Aim to contain and prevent further spread short term, and eradicate long term.

FURTHER COMMENT

African Feather grass is an Eradication Pest Plant within the Bay of Plenty Region. Any sighting of African Feather Grass should be reported to a Pest Plants Officer. They will make arrangements for control of the plant. For further information please refer to Environment Bay of Plenty's Fact Sheet PP07-African Feather Grass

This plant is prohibited from propagation, sale and distribution within New Zealand!