African Lovegrass

Eragrostis curvula

Family: Poaceae

Type of weed:

Priority Weed Local Priority Weed. (See more weeds of the class.)

Description

A tufted greyish-green perennial grass which grows to 1.5m high, with long erect or arching stems. It is very aggressive and forms dense stands. It is a native of South Africa. Leaf blades are rough and the tips may be bleached or curled. The leaves vary in width and colour from bright green to blue-green.It flowers in Spring or summer.

Dispersal

Seeds picked up in mud by animals and wheels of cars

Distribution

,

Alternative planting

Native plants

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Council provides a tool, on its Mountain Landscapes website, to help you choose native alternative plantings. Choose your village, soil, vegetation community and the purpose of your planting, and the tool will give you suggestions.

There are native nurseries in several Blue Mountains villages, including Glenbrook, Lawson and Katoomba. Please also ask at your favourite local nursery.

Exotic alternatives

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Control

  • Crown

Manual control

Crowning

Using a knife to cut away roots and stems to bag crown
Using a knife to cut away roots and stems to bag the central crown

Gently remove and bag seeds or fruit. Push a narrow trowel or knife into the ground next to the tap root. Carefully loosen soil. Repeat this step around the tap root. Grasp stem at ground level, rock plant backwards and forwards and pull gently. Softly tap the roots to dislodge soil. Replace disturbed soil and pat down lightly.

Specific control tips for this weed

Tips and techniques to remove this weed.

For key points on these techniques:

Local Priority Weed

Control measures:

  • The plant should be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed.
  • Plants under 4 metres in height should be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed.
  • The spread of this plant should be adequately contained to prevent spread impacting on priority assets. Weed notices will only be issued for these weeds under special circumstances.

  • African Lovegrass