- Reference
- Sp.Pl. [Linnaeus] 205 (1753)
- Conservation Code
- Not threatened
- Naturalised Status
- Alien to Western Australia
- Name Status
- Current
Robust, erect herb, ca 1.5 m high. Fl. pink, Mar to Apr.
Distribution
- IBRA Regions
- Indian Tropical Islands, Northern Kimberley.
- IBRA Subregions
- Mitchell.
- Local Government Areas (LGAs)
- Christmas Island, Wyndham-East Kimberley.
Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)
General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, caespitose/rhizomatous. Reproduction. Rhizomes, tillers, possibly seed. Dispersal. Wind, water, birds, soil movement, garden refuse. Photosynthetic Pathway. C4. Seedbank persistence. Possibly produces viable seed, persistence unknown. Fire response. Resprouts.
Notes. Occurs in riparian areas, roadsides and wetter regions. Can form large clumps up to 4m tall.
Additional information. Origin. Tropical Africa. History of use/introduction. First introduced for fodder.
Suggested method of management and control. Dig out small infestations. Slash in winter and/or spray with 1% glyphosate + penetrant in spring to autumn. Follow up treatment until regrowth ceases. Follow-up seedling control. 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 | O | Y | Y | O | |||||||||
| Active Growth | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
| Flowering | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||
| Optimum Treatment | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 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.
- 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.
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (2009) Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schult. URL: www.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.
- 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.
- 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 (2008) Plant threats to Pacific ecosystems. URL: http://www.hear.org/pier/scinames.htm - Accessed January 2010.
- 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.