June 2011 Pink Pampas Grass

Cortaderia jubata WHAT IS IT? A large, long-lived tussock-forming grass Native to South America Introduced to Australia as a garden ornamental, but now a serious weed of bushland and timber plantations in several States Synonyms: Gynerium cordatum, Cortaderia atacamensis Also known as: Andean pampas grass, purple pampas grass, Andes grass, Cortaderia, jubata grass, pampas grass, pink pampas Pink Pampas Grass. By “Forest & Kim Plumes. By “Forest & Kim Starr” Starr”, www.hear.org. www.hear.org

Starr”, www.hear.org.

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

Produces vast quantities of seed that can spread many kilometres by wind Colonises roadsides, scrublands, and burnt- over forests. Competes with and restricts establishment of native vegetation Impedes access for forestry operations, thereby increasing management costs Creates a fire hazard through the large build- up of dead, flammable foliage within the plant clumps Harbours vermin Sharply serrated leaves can cause cuts to skin leaving irritating welts Produces large volumes of pollen which can Pink pampas grass. By Barry Rice, cause hay fever and exacerbate asthma sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org conditions

What are State Alert Weeds? These are invasive weeds that are not known to be in South Australia, or if present, occur in low numbers in a restricted area and are still capable of being eradicated. An Alert Weed would pose a serious threat to the State’s primary industries, natural environments or human health if it became established here. All Alert Weeds are declared under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004: their transport and sale are prohibited (Sect. 175 and 177), plants must be destroyed (Sect. 182), and if found on your land their presence must be notified to NRM authorities (Sect. 180) – refer overleaf.

DESCRIPTION A tussock forming grass 1.5 - 2 m high, with a large root system to 3.5 m deep when mature. Leaves are narrow and arching with sharp edges, and are green (unlike the bluish leaves of Cortaderia selloana). Flower heads are usually pink when young, fading to dull grey on stems to 4 m, held above the leaves, appearing in January to late March.

HOW IT SPREADS Pampas grasses have the ability to reproduce from seed and rhizomes, and individual plants have the ability to produce vast quantities of windborne seed up to 100,000 per flower head. Plants are capable of setting seed without the need for pollination. These are garden escapees which are the seed source for infestations.

HABITAT Grows in a wide range of ecosystems. It prefers open, sunny conditions, but also tolerate waterlogged conditions. It can thrive in low-fertility situations. Stem by Joseph M. DiTomaso, University Common sites of infestation include roadsides, road cuttings, quarry faces, of California – Davis, Bugwood.org forest plantations, wastelands, waterways, and disturbed bushland. ORIGIN Native to South America, (Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru).

DISTRIBUTION IN AUSTRALIA Current: Naturalised and scattered in the Australia Capital Territory, coastal district of central New South Wales, Tasmania and southern Victoria. Less common in south-western Western Australia, south-eastern Queensland, and south-eastern South Australia.

Potential: The highest risk areas for the spread of Pink pampas grass in South Australia are the high rainfall areas including Kangaroo Island, southern Eyre Peninsula, Mount Lofty Ranges and the lower South-East.

HOW IT GOT HERE

DISTRIBUTION Introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant in confusion with Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass). Current distribution based on herbarium records WHAT CAN YOU DO? Potential distribution based on climate modelling Be on the alert for this plant using this Fact Sheet as a guide. If you see a suspicious plant that may be this State Alert Weed, please report it to your local Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board (contact details at www.nrm.sa.gov.au). For more information on weeds, including Alerts, contact your local NRM Board or visit either www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity (phone 08 8303 9620) or www.weeds.org.au.

Disclaimer: This publication is provided for the purpose of disseminating information relating to scientific and technical matters. The Government of South Australia does not accept liability for any loss and/or damage, including financial loss, resulting from the reliance upon any information, advice or recommendations contained in this publication. The contents of this publication should not necessarily be taken to represent the views of the participating organisations.