- Reference
- Encycl. 2:347 (1786)
- Conservation Code
- Not threatened
- Naturalised Status
- Alien to Western Australia
- Name Status
- Current
Caespitose perennial, grass-like or herb, 0.45 m high. Fl. green/purple, Sep to Nov. Grey sand, loam.
Distribution
- IBRA Regions
- Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
- IBRA Subregions
- Katanning, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
- IMCRA Regions
- Leeuwin-Naturaliste.
- Local Government Areas (LGAs)
- Albany, Augusta Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Busselton, Donnybrook-Balingup, Kojonup, Nannup, Northam, South Perth.
Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)
Alternative Names. Ehrharta, Lamarck's Ehrharta.
General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, caespitose/shortly rhizomatous. Reproduction. Seed, short rhizome. Dispersal. Water, wind, birds, slashing/mowing. Photosynthetic Pathway. C3. Seedbank persistence. Possibly short, 1 year. Fire response. Resprouts, enhances seed production and germination.
Notes. Can rapidly spread and mature. Capable of outcompeting native grasses and herbs. Accumulates large amounts of litter beneath plants, which has been identified as one of the mechanisms of competitive exclusion. Dominates ground and understorey layers. Thrives in sun or heavy shade. Tends to prefer moist, shady sites, having a high level of shade tolerance. Sets prolific seed over an extended period. Formation of seed occurs rapidly, within several weeks of flowering. Mowing aids establishment.
Additional information. Origin. Africa, temperate Asia. Similar native species. Microlaena stipoides.
Suggested method of management and control. Cut out small populations, removing all rhizomes. Alternatively spray with Fusilade® Forte 30 ml/10 L or 1.6 L/ha (based on 500 L water/ha) +vwetting agent or for generic fluazifop-p (212g/L active ingredient) 18ml/10L or 1L/ha + wetting agent on actively growing and unstressed plants. Use unplanned fires to spray regrowth and seedlings within 4-6 weeks of germination. 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 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Slows in hot conditions | ||||||
| Germination | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||
| Flowering | Y | O | O | O | O | O | O | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Can flower throughout year |
| Fruiting | O | O | O | O | O | O | O | O | Y | Y | Y | O | |
| Optimum Treatment | O | 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.
- Frey, M. (2004) Part IV. Plant Assessment Form. Ehrharta erecta Lam. California Exotic Pest Plant Council and the Southwest Vegetation Management Association URL: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Ehrharta%20erecta.pdf - Accessed November 2009.
- 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.
- McIntyre, S. & Ladiges, P.Y. (1985) Aspects of the biology of Ehrharta erecta Lam. Weed Research, 25: 21-32.
- 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.
- Round the bend conservation cooperative LTD (Undated) Panic Veldt Grass (Ehrharta erecta). Round the bend conservation cooperative LTD, Victoria. URL: http://www.roundthebend.org.au/?page_id=158 - Accessed November 2009.
- USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.