ORIGIN

Tropical America and Africa

COMMON NAME

Buffalo grass

BOTANICAL NAME

Stenotaphrum secundatum

IDENTIFICATION

Strong grass, spreading in the coastal environment.Perennial with short woody rhizomes and long trailing stolons, rooting at lower nodes. Leaf blade 40-100mm. Liqule an inconspicuous fringe of hairs, often less than 5mm long. Distinctive seed heads, red-brown stems, and more open growth habit distinguish it from Kikuyu grass.

HABITATS

Coastal sand country, and on other soil types near the coast. Prefers open areas, but penetrates under light vegetation, greatly modifying the natural habitat. Often grows in combination over substantial areas, with native Pohuehue, Muehlenbeckia.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Spreads strongly into coastal environments, especially on sand country. Deeply smothers the smaller native plants, and adversely affects the regeneration opportunities for coastal trees such as pohutukawa.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
In some situations where the grass is growing into a sensitive ecological area on a fairly small scale, hand pulling at intervals may be feasible and adequate.

Disposal

Chemical Control
Spray with Gylphosate herbicide, 150 ml to 15 l Knapsack with addition of Penetrant.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach

FURTHER COMMENT