Download Get to know…… - Snowy Monaro Regional Council

Get to know……
African Lovegrass is widespread in
the Snowy Monaro Regional Council
area. It is found within many
townships, along roadsides and on
farms and rural properties. It is a
Locally Controlled Weed, “Class 4”,
meaning that The growth of the plant
must be managed in a manner that
continuously inhibits the ability of the
plant to spread and the plant must not
be sold, propagated or knowingly
distributed (Noxious Weed Act 1993).
Help us to find and control this
harmful weed
Eragrostis curvula
Why is African Lovegrass a problem?
When mature it has little grazing value
It crowds out useful pasture and areas heavily infested can
carry very little stock. It is a prolific producer of seed and can
out-compete native and improved pasture in many conditions
Seeds of African Lovegrass are easily transported in fodder, on
vehicles and through stock movements. They are also spread
by water from ground run-off to flood events that can transport
seeds downstream.
It is highly flammable when dry and is a fire hazard
Learning to identify and eradicate African Lovegrass helps
your community
Densely tufted
perennial grass.
Leaves tapered
often to a curly tip.
Leaf-blades 10–30
cm long, 1–3 mm
wide, blue/green.
Seed heads
appear above the
leaves and can be
up to 30cm long.
Right: Seed
heads are
tapered to point.
Seeds are grey
to black in early
summer,
bleaching to
straw colour in
late summer or
autumn.
Above: Stems and leaves can be
hairy. Pull back the leaf and where it
joins the stem there is a visible ring
of white silky hairs.
Note also yellow band where leaf
joins stem.
For more information on how to identify and control weeds contact the Weed Management staff at Snowy
Monaro Regional Council.
Contact:
HEAD OFFICE
BRANCH
Cooma - (02) 6455 1777
Berridale - (02) 6451 1180
Bombala - (02) 6458 3555
E-mail: [email protected]
African Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a declared noxious weed “Class 4” in the Snowy Monaro Regional
Council area. This means that “The growth of the plant must be managed in a manner that continuously inhibits
the ability of the plant to spread and the plant must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed” (Noxious
Weed Act, 1993). Large infestations of African Lovegrass can be very difficult to control so early detection and
eradication is vital. Below you will find information that will assist you with the control of African Lovegrass should
you find it on your property. You can find additional information on Councils web site, the internet or you can
come to Council Offices for more information and advice from the Vegetation Management staff.
As with all weeds, prevention is the best control option. Maintaining a vigorous perennial ground cover at all
times will inhibit the establishment of African Lovegrass seedlings.
Please assist in the control of African Lovegrass:
 search your property for new germinations or regrowth of African Lovegrass– plants are most obvious when
in seed but you need to learn to identify and control this grass before it sets seed
 do not buy fodder from properties known to be infested with African Lovegrass and check feeding out areas
for germinations
 check areas where you park or drive your vehicle for germinations – the seeds are easily transported on tyres
and African Lovegrass is common in towns in the region
 control African Lovegrass BEFORE it produces seed i.e. by the end of October
 if there are already seeds on the plant and you have a small number of plants to control, carefully remove the
seed heads and bag before trying to dig out or spray
 disturb the soil as little as possible when digging or grubbing out
 annual search and control programs are required once African Lovegrass is found – it is a persistent weed
that produces large quantities of seed and may take many years to control
 contact our office if you have any questions regarding African Lovegrass or any other weeds on your property
Further information: www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au or http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
Recommendations for control
Non-chemical option: Pasture improvement and grazing management will reduce re-establishment. Minimise
soil disturbance if digging out. There are currently no biological control agents for this
weed.
Warning: Before opening and using any farm chemical, consult the label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
specific safety directions and withholding periods. Commercial users of chemicals must also keep records of
pesticide use.
Product trade names are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is
implied, and the inclusion of a product does not imply endorsement by SMRC over any other equivalent product
from another manufacturer.
Chemical (APVMA PERMIT
9792)
Glyphosate 360 g/L
Various trade names
Flupropanate 745 g/L
Various trade names
Rate: Spot/Boom
1.0 L in 100 L of water
6 L/ha
150 -300 mL in 100 L of water
1.5-3 L/ha
Comments
Apply only to actively growing plants. Retreat and/or pasture improve to restrict
seedling re-establishment.
Spot spray application.
Boom application. Low rates of Glyphosate
should be added for seedset suppression
from September onwards (see Permit 9792
for rates)
NSW WeedWise can be accessed as web pages or as a smartphone app
Recommendations taken from: ENVIRONMENTAL WEED CONTROL HANDBOOK 2009
A GUIDE TO WEED CONTROL IN NON-CROP, AQUATIC AND BUSHLAND SITUATIONS
Rod Ensbey, Regional Weed Control Coordinator, NSW Agriculture
250.2016.77.1
Issue Date: 12/07/2016
Revision Date: 12/07/2019
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