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Cenchrus longisetus M.C.Johnst.
Feathertop

Reference
Sida 1:182 (1963)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain.
IBRA Subregions
Eastern Goldfield, Geraldton Hills, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest.
IMCRA Regions
Central West Coast, Leeuwin-Naturaliste.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Canning, Cockburn, Donnybrook-Balingup, Greater Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Mundaring, Perth, South Perth, Swan.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, rhizomatous/caespitose. Reproduction. Seeds and rhizomes. Dispersal. Wind, animals, clothing, soil on vehical tyres and machinary, roadside slashing/mowing. Photosynthetic pathway. C4. Seedbank persistence. Possibly less than 12 months. Fire response. Resprouts.

Notes. Spreads rapidly into disturbed areas. Widespread and locally common on roadsides and pastural areas in parts of NSW, Victoria, southern Queensland and South Australia.

Additional information. Origin. North Africa. History of use/introduction. Ornamental.

Suggested method of management and control. Individual plants can be manually removed. Best controlled as an imature plant, following fire and/or prior to flowering and seed set. Spray with 1% glyphosate. Thick old tussocks may be easier to control if burnt or slashed to 10cm above the ground and allowed to reshoot before applying herbicide. Requires followup. Use unplanned fire to effectively control resprouting plants 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 O O             Y Y Y Y  
Germination       Y Y Y Y Y          
Flowering Y Y Y O O O O O Y Y Y Y  
Fruiting Y Y Y               Y Y  
Optimum Treatment     Y Y Y O O O O Y Y Y  

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

 

References

  • CRC Weed Management (2008) Weed Management Guide - Feathergrasses and mission grasses (Pennisetum species). CRC for Australian Weed Management, Canberra.
  • Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E.G. (2001) Noxious weeds of Australia. 2nd Edition. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.