Invasive grass species are reducing the biodiversity of indigenous communities, changing ecosystem processes, retarding ecosystem restoration and reducing profits from ranching and arable agriculture.
The review of the impacts of alien grasses in other parts of the world suggests that alien grasses will become increasingly prevalent in South Africa.

At present only five grass species, all large conspicuous perennials, are declared weeds in South Africa.
Pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata, C. selloana) is declared as a Category 1 weed in South Africa. Pampas grass in South Africa is banned from sale and propagation. It may not be grown and must be removed.

Pampas grass is native to South America. It is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of environments and climates. Pampas grass is known to be highly drought tolerant.
Each plume of a older plant can produce up to 100 000 seeds. These seeds can be carried 25km by wind and develop without pollination.
The Pampas grass plant has a mass of fibrous roots. The root system of a large plant can occupy over 100 square meter of soil.
Pampas grass is an aggressive colonizer that competes with native vegetation. Once established it tends to exclude most other species and forms impenetrable clumps.
The foliage of pampas grass dries in the winter and pose a serious fire hazard.

Please share your experiences of pampas grass with us.

The Rhenosterspruit Nature Conservancy wrote an interesting article about Pom Pom. Below are some extracts from the article. For the full article, go to Pom Pom - An Invasive Alien Plant

The invasive alien Pom-Pom bloom from early spring to late autumn, spreading air-borne seeds in the wind. If you are not already taking action against this alien plant, your URGENT response is called for.

This plant is a Category ONE Invasive plant. What that means to you is: " These are plants that must be controlled on land or water surfaces by ALL land users."
This category includes Lantana, Bugweed, Pampas Grass, Cat's Claw creeper, Oleander, and Balloon Vine.


Please note that if you are found guilty of neglecting to attend to these plants a fine of 4 years jail term or R10 000 or BOTH applies.

The Pompom is dormant in winter, and is would be pointless to take action once the leaves begin to yellow.  The best time to spray this invader with herbicide is during the growing phase, and preferably before flowering.

The Pompom spreads by rhizome and by seed.  Cutting the plant down, or burning is NOT effective.  The experience in the RNC is that this practice encourages vigourous growth, and rapid spread through the rhizome.  THe rhizome (root system) is well protected under the soil, not affected by burning, and leaves the Pompom ready to grow.

The Pompom thrives in disturbed or degraded soil.  Pay close attention to these areas.

In the RNC action has in the past often been taken too late. This may be because the flowring season begins when we all want to go on holiday, and wind down for the year.  This is when the pompom "gets busy"!

When the pompom is already flowering, many owners have included de-heading in their treatment regime.  The flowers are cut off, bagged and burnt.  This activity adds greatly to the duration and cost of the treatment intervention.  Also, walking through the flowering plants, some already seeding, disperses the seeds quickly and widely.

If you are able to apply herbicide while the plant is growing, i.e. before the flowering commences, the intervention will be more effective.

Try to use "spot application" rather than dispersed spraying.  Spray only the pompom plant, focusing on the leaves.

After 3-5 days the plant will appear to be wilting.  Leave in place and undisturbed as the plant will die over 10-14 days.