PAMPAS GRASS AND JUBATA GRASS Cortaderia selloana Grass Family (Poaceae) Cortaderia jubata DESCRIPTION Pampas grass is a common name used masses. New seedlings often grow for both Cortaderia species. For clarity on the dead mass of the parent in this discussion, Cortaderia jubata plant, so what appears to be one will be called jubata grass,while pam- plant is often several generations, pas grass will refer only to C. selloana. growing one on top of the other.In Both species are rapid-growing contrast to jubata grass, pampas perennials that form large clumps. grass produces seeds only sexu- Jubata grass is found only in coastal ally, not apomictically, so both areas, but pampas grass also infests sexes of plants are necessary for more inland locales. Both are found in pollination and seed pro- disturbed areas, slopes and cliffs, duction. Both grasses PERENNIAL GRASSES coastal scrub, and forest clearings. can spread vegeta- Jubata grass leaves reach a height of tively from tillers or 5–7 feet at maturity. The dark green fragments of a leaves have sharply serrated margins.The mature plant that flowering stalks can tower up to 20 feet root in moist soil. above the mass of spreading leaves at the base. The inflorescence—a showy plume IMPACT ranging from pink to violet, turning Pampas grass is the more widespread creamy white or golden in maturity— species statewide, but jubata grass is con- typically appears from July to September. sidered more invasive in coastal areas. In Pampas grass leaves are gray-green forest gaps, both species can prevent the and narrower than those of jubata grass. growth of saplings by limiting available The leaves tend to curl at the tips. The flower water and nutrients. Both readily establish in stalks grow only a little taller than the mound of disturbed areas including landslides, road cuts, leaf blades, giving pampas grass are more and cliff faces. Seeds are wind-dispersed and rounded appearance than jubata grass. The populations expand quickly in coastal areas, plumes are paler (generally pale pink to silvery significantly reducing grassland, scrub, and white) than those of jubata grass. rocky outcrop habitats. The sharp, sawtooth- edged leaves can cut human skin. Both grasses REPRODUCTION increase the risk of fire when leaves dry out or Female jubata grass plants produce seed asexu- die back. ally by apomixis. Thousands of seeds that are genetically identical to the parent plant are then KEY FACTORS wind-dispersed. Plants live for over a decade, u Serrated leaves require the use of gloves and and within their lifetime will develop huge root protective clothing. 96 WEED WORKERS’ HANDBOOK 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 INTERESTING FACTS the mid-1800s. Both grasses were widely Pampas grass and jubata grass are native to planted as ornamentals and have been used to South America. No one knows quite when and prevent erosion on slopes. Cortaderia comes how jubata grass was introduced to California, from the Spanish for “cutter” and refers to the but pampas grass was introduced to the state in plant’s sharp leaf margins. Notes PERENNIAL GRASSES 98 WEED WORKERS’ HANDBOOK.