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Pampas Grass - Category 1 Invasive Alien Plant

25/5/2012

37 Comments

 
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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.

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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.
37 Comments
Armand Cronje
25/5/2012 12:16:20 am

Currently it seems the only way to eradicate a plant is by pysically digging it out. GPS the position and follow up doug out site to treat resprouting roots with recommended chemical (Still to be recommended by Sylvix)

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Dix
30/5/2012 08:11:38 pm

No products registered, but there are defenitly reports of good results using Roundup Weathermax which is a high quality Glyphosate based product.

Stadard 360gr & cheap glyphosate products do not seem to even have an effect on these plants.

Another product which works really well is Format (Imazapyr - same ai as Chopper). However, we do know that you have to be careful with Imazapyr if you are spraying amongst other plants you do not wish to kill as there is some soil residual effect for about a year.

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25/12/2023 05:59:10 am

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll give it a try.

Nishan Singh link
11/12/2023 01:45:18 am

I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.

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Rahul Singh link
15/12/2023 06:13:02 pm

Thanks for a great blog. I was able to get the information that I had been looking for. Thanks once again!

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Dix
28/11/2024 01:10:05 am

I am glad I could help.

Stephan
25/5/2012 12:20:19 am

Spray with 2% Roundup as soon as the plumes start appearing (normally Jan). Rapid spread if not watched.

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Gilmore
28/5/2012 04:37:46 pm

Another person also have some success with 2% Roundup Weathermax. The Pampas grass takes about 6 weeks to die.

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Dix
30/5/2012 08:13:49 pm

Thanks Stephan. Yes, they will be more vulnerable before the plumes have formed.

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Anton Shekwa
27/5/2012 04:34:57 pm

The other challenge is that residents use this invasive plants as an ornamental. I have seen bugweed in some gardens in White River. Comunities should be taught, more especially at schools.

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Dix
30/5/2012 08:15:19 pm

Too true.

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Werner
2/8/2012 02:08:12 am

Registered product for Pampas grass is (Kilo Max).
Regards

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Gilmore
2/8/2012 05:45:37 pm

Thank you Werner. I looked at the label and you are correct. Have you used Kilo max on pampas grass? What were the results?

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Dix
2/8/2012 06:20:47 pm

Thank you Werner. Very important. Kilo Max is quickly becoming one of my favorite products. It has a very good and extensive label and we are finding that it really works well in many difficult situations. Combine that with its registered 2 hour rain fastness and Kilo Max should actually be your product of choice.

We have been slow to introduce it, being very careful to ensure it works as expected. I do not have a problem recommending it into almost all situations anymore. The product performs well.

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Ferdie
13/10/2016 12:05:25 am

Kilo Max and Kilo WSG were registered several years ago already. I was involved with the R&D. These products were effective in the trials, but application needs to be thorough. Application needs to cover at least 90% of all foliage and it needs to be dust free and growing actively. If it has been burned or slashed, allow re-growth to reach about 1m height. be prepared to follow up, if necessary. I have pictures of results if anyone is interested.

jim
26/12/2012 12:59:22 am

The Peninsula Open Space Trust has been using Roundup Pro for over ten years in a very successful effort to suppress this terrible weed along a small portion of the California coast. Yes, areas that have been treated must be revisited in several years to suppress new growth, and maybe revisited yet again several years hence, But it has been very successful. Too bad our country does not have South Africa's prohibition on growing pampas grass.

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12/6/2013 03:12:58 pm

I am pleased to read your post. I was searching for the related topic you discussed in there. Good job. All the best.

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Chris
23/12/2015 02:44:52 am

Can kaput kill you?

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Ferdie
13/10/2016 12:09:37 am

Chris,

Everything is toxic. It is simply a matter of dose. Even too much water becomes toxic (and I'm not referring to drowning here!) However, it will not kill you if you don't expose yourself to it. That means you need to not ingest it and when you apply it, wear chemical gloves. There are no toxic fumes to breathe in. To kill yourself with kaput, you would really have to do something extreme.

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marlin
15/6/2016 01:15:12 pm

Gooid information

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Dix link
23/11/2016 10:08:37 pm

I notice the Pampas Grass is becoming very common and wide spread again.

Reminder that Kilo Max is registered for control of Pampas Grass, Common Reed, Spanish Reed & Bulrush

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10/9/2020 10:51:09 pm

Hurrah, that is the thing that I was searching for, what a material! present here at this site, thanks administrator of this site.

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Ferdie Jordaan
11/9/2020 01:15:13 am

Hi, we have a e-leaflet that has a comprehensive list of weeds and the products to control these problem plants. If anyone is interested, I can email it to you.

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Sian Holder
2/6/2021 02:42:45 am

Hi Ferdie Jordaan - please email your list of weeds and control products. Much appreciated.

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Jim Lipman
2/6/2021 09:18:35 am

Please send your e-leaflet containing the list of weeds and the products to control them. Thanks.

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Dix van Dam link
2/6/2021 10:51:27 pm

Hi Jim. Use e-mail address [email protected]. Ferdie did send me the list. Thank you Ferdie.

Ferdie Jordaan
2/6/2021 04:37:53 am

Hi Sean,

can you send me an email address. Or send it to Dix, who can forward it to me.

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Dix van Dam
2/6/2021 10:49:49 pm

Hi Jim. Please use e-mail address [email protected]

I did receive the list from Ferdie,

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30/9/2021 01:38:02 am

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13/1/2022 11:03:53 pm

Very elegantly composed. This blog has every one of the necessary parts that I was searching for. The focuses are all around featured, expressing the genuine importance. Straightforward and read.

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Liz
5/4/2022 12:25:08 am

To whom should I report a florist selling Pampas?
Is there anyway to prep the pampas plumes so that the seeds cannot germinate?

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Jennifer
17/7/2022 02:42:08 am

What other grass species could you recommend that is not invasive but grows thick and tall and can be used to create a privacy wall?

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Arun Sharma link
12/12/2023 09:00:06 pm

Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include almost all vital infos. I would like to see extra posts like this.

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king11 link
21/5/2024 06:12:22 am

What other grass species could you recommend that is not invasive but grows thick and tall and can be used to create a privacy wall?

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DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL TREE CARE link
27/1/2025 09:17:50 pm

Pampas grass can cause significant harm to ecosystems and biodiversity—it’s always best to manage invasive plants carefully. If you happen to need a tree surgeon, feel free to visit our site—we’d be happy to help with your tree and plant care needs!

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DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL TREE CARE link
12/2/2025 08:22:43 am

Invasive plants like pampas grass can quickly take over if left unchecked. Managing them properly is key to protecting native species. If you happen to need a tree surgeon, feel free to visit our site.

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STUMP GRINDING link
12/3/2025 04:27:55 am

Pampas grass may look nice, but it’s a tough invader that crowds out native plants. If you happen to need a tree surgeon, feel free to visit our site!

Reply



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