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The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

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Ehrharta longiflora Sm.
Annual Veldt Grass

Reference
Pl.Icon.Ined. Tab.32 (1790)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Caespitose annual, grass-like or herb, 0.2-0.6 m high. Fl. purple-green, Jul to Nov. White or grey sand, loam. Sand dunes.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 8 November 1993
Image

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Carnarvon, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Hampton, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Murchison, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren, Yalgoo.
IBRA Subregions
Dandaragan Plateau, Eastern Mallee, Edel, Fitzgerald, Geraldton Hills, Hampton, Katanning, Lesueur Sandplain, Merredin, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Recherche, Southern Cross, Southern Jarrah Forest, Tallering, Warren, Western Mallee, Western Murchison, Wooramel.
IMCRA Regions
Abrolhos Islands, Central West Coast, Leeuwin-Naturaliste, WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Augusta Margaret River, Beverley, Broomehill-Tambellup, Bunbury, Busselton, Cambridge, Capel, Chapman Valley, Cockburn, Coorow, Corrigin, Cranbrook, Cuballing, Cunderdin, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Dardanup, Denmark, Dowerin, Dundas, Esperance, Gingin, Gnowangerup, Goomalling, Greater Geraldton, Harvey, Jerramungup, Joondalup, Kalamunda, Kellerberrin, Kondinin, Manjimup, Melville, Merredin, Moora, Morawa, Mundaring, Murray, Narembeen, Narrogin, Nedlands, Northam, Northampton, Perenjori, Perth, Pingelly, Plantagenet, Ravensthorpe, Rockingham, Shark Bay, South Perth, Stirling, Swan, Tammin, Toodyay, Trayning, Victoria Plains, Wagin, Wandering, Waroona, Westonia, Wickepin, Williams, Wongan-Ballidu, Woodanilling, Wyalkatchem, Yalgoo, Yilgarn, York.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Annual, caespitose. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Water, wind, mammals, slashing. Photosynthetic Pathway. C3. Seedbank persistence. 1+ years. Fire response. Increases in cover by mass germination of soil-stored seed.

Notes. Has staggered germination.

Additional information. Origin. Namibia, South Africa. History of use/introduction. Animal fodder. Similar exotic species. Ehrharta calycina.

Suggested method of management and control. Hand remove small infestations. Alternatively spray with Fusilade Forte® 30 ml/10 L or 1.6 L/ha (based on 500 L water/ha) + wetting agent or for generic fluazifop-p (212g/L active ingredient) 18ml/10L or 1L/ha + wetting agent before flowering stem emerges, or at 3-5 leaf stage. Secondary seedling flush often occurs, repeat treatment if necessary. 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 Y    
Germination           Y Y Y          
Flowering             Y Y Y Y      
Fruiting                   Y Y    
Optimum Treatment               Y Y Y      

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Blood, K. (2001) Environmental weeds: a field guide for SE Australia. C.H. Jerram and Associates, Melbourne.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • 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.
  • Milberg, P. & Lamont, B.B. (1995) Fire enhances weed invasion of roadside vegetation in southwestern Australia. Biological Conservation, 73 (1): 45-49.
  • Moore, C.B. & Moore, J.H. (2002) Herbiguide, the pesticide expert on a disk. Herbiguide, PO Box 44 Albany, Western Australia, 6330.
  • 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.