root in moist soil. mature plant that plant mature fragments offragments a tively from tillers or tillers from tively can spread vegeta- can spread duction. Both grasses pollination and seed pro- pollination sexes ofsexes necessary are plants for ally, apomictically, not both so grass produces seeds only sexu- seeds only grass produces contrast to jubata grass, jubata to contrast pampas growing one on top of the other.In plant is often several generations, several is often plant plant, so what appears to be one on the dead mass of mass dead the on parent the masses. seedlings New often grow ACTORS MPACT F I widespread grass is the more Pampas species statewide, but jubata grass is con- sidered more invasive in coastal areas. In gaps,forest the can prevent species both ofgrowth available limiting by saplings EY Serrated leaves require the use of the require leaves Serrated and gloves protective clothing. water and nutrients.water in establish readily Both landslides, including disturbed areas cuts, road and cliff faces. and wind-dispersed Seeds are areas, in coastal quickly expand populations grassland, reducing significantly scrub, and habitats. outcrop rocky sharp, The sawtooth- skin. human cut can leaves edged grasses Both of risk the increase dry or out leaves when fire die back. u K WEED WORKERS’ HANDBOOK WEED WORKERS’ C. selloana. Cortaderia jubata species. For clarity Cortaderia Jubata grass leaves reach a height of a height reach grass leaves Jubata gray-green are grass leaves Pampas ESCRIPTION EPRODUCTION R seed asexu- produce grass plants jubata Female apomixis. by ally of Thousands are seeds that then are plant parent the to identical genetically decade, a over for live wind-dispersed. Plants root huge willand within lifetime their develop Pampas grass is a common name used grass is a common Pampas for both in this discussion, grass,whilewill be called jubata pam- to only pas grass will refer Cortaderia jubata D Cortaderia selloana Grass Family (Poaceae) rapid-growing are species Both clumps. large form that perennials in coastal only grass is found Jubata areas, grass pampas also infests but locales. inland more in found are Both disturbed areas, and cliffs, slopes coastal scrub, and forest clearings. maturity. at 5–7 feet green dark The margins.The serrated sharply have leaves 20 feet to up can tower stalks flowering of mass the above the at leaves spreading base. plume showy inflorescence—a The violet, to pink from ranging turning in maturity— golden or white creamy typically appears from to September. July of than those and narrower grass. jubata tend to curl the tips. at The leaves The flower of mound the than taller a little only grow stalks leaf blades, more grass giving are pampas grass. thanjubata appearance rounded The silvery to pink pale (generally paler are plumes of than those white) grass. jubata PAMPAS GRASS AND GRASS PAMPAS GRASS JUBATA

PERENNIAL GRASSES 96 u Resprouts from roots left in contact with soil. purple (prior to producing seeds)—typically u Thrives in moist areas: keep pulled vegetation August to October near the coast, earlier away from water. inland and in hotter areas.Note,however,that cut plumes can produce another seed plume u High seed production. from the same stalk in as little as 1–2 weeks. u Seeds remain viable approximately 9–12 u Foliar spray 2 percent glyphosate on all green months. growth during the active growth period (November–July, or even August–September TREATMENT OPTIONS along the Central Coast). Spraying minimizes u Pull seedlings by hand or with the help of a soil disturbance, but the herbicide must con- pick,Pulaski,or shovel. tact the entire leaf surface, a difficult task for u Cut larger plants and remove the root mass. large plants. An additional caution: plants First, carefully cut and dispose of all seed that appear dead soon after spraying may plumes, including immature ones that have survive and regrow the following year. yet to emerge from their sheath, because they u Cut and treat. As an alternative to foliar may be able to mature. spraying, you could cut away the stems and u Next, cut stems and leaf blades to near leaves and then apply herbicide to the cut ground level with a Pulaski, Swedish brush ax stems near the root mass.Practitioners report or chainsaw. Some practitioners prefer to use mixed results with this technique. a chainsaw to remove the mass ofleaves, while others caution that this is dangerous DISPOSAL (the chainsaw user must kneel and cannot see To prevent resprouting,turn the whole uprooted the blade) as well as slow (the grass quickly mass upside down and leave it in place to dry clogs the chainsaw guard). An expertly out. Small, stringy roots left in the soil will not sharpened machete is also effective, but like a regrow,but all parts of the main root mass must chainsaw,is an appropriate tool only for expe- be at least several inches away from the ground. rienced professionals. Place the cut plumes on top of cut grass u Finally, remove the root mass. If it is very leaves. To prevent any seeds from being blown PERENNIAL GRASSES large, use the ax side of the Pulaski to chop it away, make a “pampas sandwich” by covering into 4- or 5-inch squares,then use the flat side the seed heads with a second layer of foliage. of the Pulaski to hoe out the pieces. Some practitioners bury the seed plumes under u Pull very large plants with a truck hitch. This something more substantial than the leaves, as is possible if the pampas or jubata grass is they can dry out and blow away—with the near a road and a strong truck is available. seeds! Finding a way to leave the plumes behind Place a choker cable around the plant,digging means you won’t have to haul heavy bags off- it into the ground a little behind the plant so site, especially in steep, remote areas.Given that it won’t slip off. Secure the cable to the truck jubata grass seeds don’t need to be pollinated, hitch,and pull the plant out easily.This is very it’s important to cover or remove them as soon impressive to volunteers! as possible. u Cut the plumes of plants you are unable to remove, as a temporary containment meas- FOLLOW-UP ure.Cut the plumes while they are still pink or Check for resprouts twice a year.

THE PLANTS: HOW TO REMOVE BAY AREA WEEDS 97 comes Cortaderia the mid-1800s.the widely grasses Both were planted as ornamentals been and have used to prevent erosion on slopes. “cutter” the to for refers and the Spanish from leaf sharp plant’s margins. WEED WORKERS’ HANDBOOK WEED WORKERS’ ACTS F NTERESTING Notes Pampas grass and jubata grass are native to native grass grass are jubata and Pampas America.South No one knows quite when and California, to introduced grass was jubata how in state the to introduced grasspampas was but I

PERENNIAL GRASSES 98