African lovegrass
A native plant of southern Africa, it is thought that African lovegrass was introduced to Australia accidentally as contaminated pasture seed.
What is African lovegrass?
African lovegrass is a large, densely tufted, erect perennial grass that grows up to 1.2 metres tall, often adopting a weeping appearance. Its narrow leaves vary in colour from dark green to blue-green, and have distinct parallel veins, a rough texture, and rolled-in edges.
Flowering occurs through most of the year and the numerous flower spikelets are initially a dark green to blue-green before turning straw-coloured as they mature. These spikelets are flat with tiny flowers.
African lovegrass reproduces via tiny seeds which are clustered at the end of the stems. These seeds are easily dispersed by wind, water, animals, machinery, vehicles, contaminated soils, and contaminated fodder.
Where is African lovegrass found?
African lovegrass thrives on acidic, sandy soils with low fertility, and this hardy perennial is both heat and drought-tolerant. It infests degraded pastures, roadsides, railway lines, waste areas, disturbed sites, footpaths, pastures, grasslands, waterways, and coastal areas.
Recorded African lovegrass outbreaks in the Murraylands and Riverland region*
What are the impacts of African lovegrass?
African lovegrass is highly competitive with other pasture species and is an aggressive invader, quickly overtaking sparse, overgrazed, or poor-quality pastures. Young plants are nutritious and readily grazed by livestock but as they mature, they become unpalatable.
African lovegrass can form dense infestations that create large fuel loads in the dry months, posing a fire hazard, and out-competing native vegetation. A high seed production and germination rate make African lovegrass difficult to control.
What is the declared status of African lovegrass?
African lovegrass is declared in South Australia and is subject to the following restrictions:
- Land owners and managers to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread,
- Plants must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything,
- Plants must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.
When is the best time to monitor for and control African lovegrass?
African lovegrass grows all year round but growth increases significantly in spring and summer. Monitoring should be undertaken year-round and control methods should be used as soon as incursions are identified
How can African lovegrass be controlled?
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
African lovegrass is difficult to control. Successful management requires land managers to use a number of methods and be persistent in following up treatments and future monitoring.
Control should be undertaken all year round, but with extra effort in spring before flowering. Pastures should be checked after rains when the temperature is over 10°C as most seeds germinate in spring and autumn. Seedlings should be killed before they are 6 weeks old.
African lovegrass seed remains viable for up to 17 years so areas previously treated should be regularly and thoroughly examined for secondary incursions.
More information about control options, including specific herbicide rates, can be found on the PIRSA website.
What to do if you suspect an African lovegrass outbreak
Treat African lovegrass incursions until the plants are dead. Follow up initial treatments and monitor your property for additional outbreaks.
For support in identifying and controlling African boxthorn, contact your local district officer.
*Map provided as a guide only. Mapped outbreaks are not necessarily current or comprehensive.