Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

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Ehrharta calycina
Sm., Poaceae
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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk; score: 18 (Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment for Ehrharta calycina)

Other Latin names:  (no synonyms in GRIN); Ehrharta calycina Eckl. ex Nees [invalid]

Common name(s): [more details]

English: perennial veld grass, perennial veldt grass, veldt grass

French: ehrharta

Habit:  grass

Description:  "E[hrharta] calycina is a tussock-forming grass 30-75 cm in height with flat, green to reddish-purple leaf blades 7-20 cm in length and 2-7 mm in width. A single tussock may consist of numerous stems. The inflorescence is a 10-15 cm long contracted to open panicle, with spikelets almost sessile or shortly stalked and 5-8 mm long. Glumes are 5-7 mm long, becoming purplish. A single spikelet contains three florets; the lower two are sterile and have no palea, and the upper is fertile with palea. Lemmas of sterile florets are membranous, short-awned or pointed and soft-hairy. Lemmas of fertile florets have hairy veins but no awns (Bossard et al., 2000)." (Invasive plants of California's Wildlands as cited by CABI Invasive Species Compendium datasheet for Ehrharta calycina (perennial veldtgrass))

See also: Manual of Grasses of the U.S., p. 551; Invasive Plants of the World (Weber, 2003), p. 146; GrassBase.

Habitat/ecology:  "In the native range, this grass grows mostly on disturbed sandy soils. It is adapted to nutrient-poor soils and establishes in open sites. It forms dense and tall patches that eliminate all native herbaceous species. Seed production is abundant, and seeds are dispersed by wind, water and animals. The grass accumulates large quantities of dried plant thus increasing fire intensity and frequency. Fires themselves stimulate germinaion and regrowth, favouring the spread of this grass." (Invasive Plants of the World (Weber, 2003), p. 146)

"Perennial veldt grass is mostly found in sandy soils. The plant is adapted to low-nutrient conditions and established in open sites." (Invasive plant species of the world: A reference guide to environmental weeds. 2nd ed. CAB International (CABI), p. 163) Physiology and phenology: In California (USA), seeds of Ehrharta calycina germinate following winter rains. It grows and flowers throughout the rainy season (December to April), and into early summer in coastal areas with fog drip (Bossard et al. 2000). Most fruits mature between March and June in California. Root growth is rapid and extensive after rains. According to Bossard et al. (2000) flowering may occur for up to 25 weeks. In Australia, the species flowers from March to April or August to September (Western Australian Herbarium, 2012). In Australia, germination occurs under a wide range of temperature and light conditions (Smith et al., 1999). No differences in germination rates were found between seeds in the dark or in full white light, nor between seeds exposed to 13° C and 28° C (Smith et al., 1999). Seeds withstood exposure to 70° or 80° C for 60 minutes without losing viability, but an exposure of 20 minutes to 90° C killed them." (adapted from CABI Invasive Species Compendium datasheet for Ehrharta calycina (perennial veldtgrass))

"Longevity: Ehrharta calycina is perennial and occasionally rhizomatous. It has dormant buds at its base from which it can resprout after damage. Population size and structure: E. calycina grows in dense tufts. In moist areas it is capable of forming a continuous turf, with plants spreading vegetatively and by seed. It has shown to accumulate persistent seedbanks (Pierce & Cowling, 1991). In Australian woodland invaded by the species, recently burned areas contained up to 75,000 seeds per square metre (Smith et al., 1999). Only about half of the soil seed bank germinates after fire, ensuring the potential for later recruitment (Smith et al., 1999). These authors found that 16-month-old seed germinated at a rate of 96%. Environmental requirements: E. calycina is resistant to drought and moderate frost (Western Australian Herbarium, 2012). It does not tolerate waterlogging, oxygen-poor soil conditions or high salinity levels (Western Australian Herbarium, 2012)." (adapted from CABI)

"The invasion of Ehrharta calycina into native shrub communities causes a rapid shift toward grassland. The more open the original vegetation, the more rapidly invasion occurs (U.S. Air Force 1996). The species spreads readily into disturbed areas, such as roadsides, and from there into openings between shrubs. Once established, E. calycina inhibits or prevents germination and establishment of native dune scrub and chaparral species (U.S. Air Force 1996). . . . The spread of this grass is now considered to be the most serious threat to sand dunes of the central coast of California (Chipping, pers. comm.)." (Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands, p. 168)

"Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, caespitose/shortly rhizomatous. Reproduction. Seed, short rhizome. Dispersal. Water, wind, birds, mammals, slashing. Photosynthetic Pathway. C3. Time to first flowering. 1 year. Seedbank persistence. Short, days-5 years. Fire response. Resprouts, enhances seed production and germination. Intense fires can reduce the seedbank, as seed largely accumulates in the top of the soil profile where it is susceptible to high temperatures." (FloraBase)

Propagation:  "Reproduction is by seeds which are dispersed primarily by wind (Bossard et al., 2000). The grass accumulates a persistent soil seed bank, with seed viability lasting for several years (Pierce and Cowling, 1991; Fisher et al., 2009)." (Invasive plant species of the world: A reference guide to environmental weeds. 2nd ed. CAB International (CABI), p. 163)

"Reproductive biology: Ehrharta calycina reproduces mainly by seed. Occasionally it is rhizomatous and may spread by rhizome pieces. Seeds are abundantly produced and primarily dispersed by wind (Bossard et al., 2000; Wittkuhn 2010). They do not self-bury and generally lie on the surface or in the top 1-2 cm of the soil (Smith et al., 1999)." (adapted from CABI Invasive Species Compendium datasheet for Ehrharta calycina (perennial veldtgrass))

"Seed production is abundant, and seeds are dispersed by wind, water and animals. The grass accumulates large quantities of dried plant thus increasing fire intensity and frequency. Fires themselves stimulate germinaion and regrowth, favouring the spread of this grass." (Invasive Plants of the World (Weber, 2003), p. 146)

"Reproduction. Seed, short rhizome." (FloraBase)

Native range:  Ehrharta calycina is native to southern Africa. (Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands, p. 167)

Impacts and invaded habitats:  Invaded habitats: "Grass- and heathland, woodland, coastal dunes." (Invasive Plants of the World (Weber, 2003), p. 146)

Western Australia: "Commonly invades disturbed ecosystems. Also capable of invading undisturbed ecosystems, including heathland, woodland and forest. It represents a major threat to the conservation values of Banksia woodlands on sandy soils north and south of Perth. Frequent disturbance (especially fire) and higher nutrient levels favour invasion. Has high growth rates. Resistant to drought and frost. Does not tolerate waterlogging, anaerobic conditions or high salinity levels. Established plants resprout vigorously from the base of the tussock following drought stress. Sets prolific seed resulting in high soil seed bank densities. Seed germinates under a wide range of temperature and light conditions. Seed germinates rapidly compared to native species, leading to early dominance. Capable of altering nutrient cycles. Thought to have acid-secreting root hairs which increase the availablity of nutrients. Possibly can change soil physical and hydrologic properties over time, including increasing water repellance." (FloraBase)

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands
Hawai‘i (Big) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands introduced
Weber, Ewald (2017) (p. 164)
"Naturalized (species has established populations"
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands introduced
CAB International (2017)
"Naturalized (species has established populations"
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands
Maui Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Asia
Asia
Asia   Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101, "Australasia"
Australia
Australia
Australia   Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101, "Australasia"
Australia
Australia
Australia introduced
invasive
cultivated
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103, "naturalized"
Australia
Australia
South Australia (Australia) (state) introduced
Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
Australia
Australia
Tasmania introduced
Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
Australia
Australia
Western Australia (Australia) (state) introduced
Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
Australia
Australia (continental)
New South Wales introduced
Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
Australia
Australia (continental)
Australia (continental) introduced
invasive
Weber, Ewald (2017) (p. 164)
"Invasive (species has established populations and exerts negative impacts on other species or habitats)" & "Naturalized (species has established populations"
Australia
Australia (continental)
Australia (continental) introduced
invasive
CAB International (2017)
"Invasive (species has established populations and exerts negative impacts on other species or habitats)" & "Naturalized (species has established populations"; "It commonly invades disturbed ecosystems but is also able to penetrate into closed vegetation, such as heathland, woodland and forests, after natural disturbances have occurred. It represents a major threat to native Banksia woodlands on sandy soils in Western Australia. . . . Once established, it inhibits or prevents germination and establishment of native forbs and woody species. Large stretches of the species increase fire frequencies, because stems and leaves dry out during the summer months, providing excellent fuel. Fire promotes spread of this grass by reducing regrowth or establishment of native species and drastically increasing cover of E. calycina. In California, it spreads into native shrub communities and its invasion causes a rapid shift towards species-poor grassland. It is also considered as a major threat to sand dunes and their vegetation on California's central coast. Once established, it inhibits or prevents germination and establishment of native forbs and woody species. Large stretches of the species increase fire frequencies, because stems and leaves dry out during the summer months, providing excellent fuel. Fire promotes spread of this grass by reducing regrowth or establishment of native species and drastically increasing cover of E. calycina." (CABI)
Australia
Australia (continental)
Victoria (Australia) introduced
Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand (country) introduced
Weber, Ewald (2017) (p. 164)
"Naturalized (species has established populations"
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand (country) introduced
CAB International (2017)
"Naturalized (species has established populations"
New Zealand
New Zealand
North Island (NZ)   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
United States (west coast)
United States (west coast states)
USA (California) introduced
invasive
Bossard, Carla C./Randall, John M./Hoshovsky, Marc C., eds. (2000) (p. 168)
"It commonly invades disturbed ecosystems but is also able to penetrate into closed vegetation, such as heathland, woodland and forests, after natural disturbances have occurred. . . . In California, it spreads into native shrub communities and its invasion causes a rapid shift towards species-poor grassland. It is also considered as a major threat to sand dunes and their vegetation on California's central coast. Once established, it inhibits or prevents germination and establishment of native forbs and woody species. Large stretches of the species increase fire frequencies, because stems and leaves dry out during the summer months, providing excellent fuel. Fire promotes spread of this grass by reducing regrowth or establishment of native species and drastically increasing cover of E. calycina. In California, it spreads into native shrub communities and its invasion causes a rapid shift towards species-poor grassland. It is also considered as a major threat to sand dunes and their vegetation on California's central coast. Once established, it inhibits or prevents germination and establishment of native forbs and woody species. Large stretches of the species increase fire frequencies, because stems and leaves dry out during the summer months, providing excellent fuel. Fire promotes spread of this grass by reducing regrowth or establishment of native species and drastically increasing cover of E. calycina." (CABI)
United States (west coast)
United States (west coast states)
USA (California) introduced
cultivated
Jepson Herbarium (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Africa
Africa
Africa   Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
Africa
Africa
Lesotho native
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103
Africa
Africa
Namibia native
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103
India
India
India (Republic of) introduced
invasive
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103, "naturalized"
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa (Republic of) native
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103
South America
South America
South America   Grasses of Australia (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
United States of America
United States
Texas (U.S. state) introduced
Jepson Herbarium (year unknown)
accessed 20181101
United States of America
United States
United States introduced
cultivated
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103
United States of America
United States
United States (western) introduced
invasive
GRIN (year unknown)
accessed 20181103, "naturalized"
United States (continental except west coast)
United States (other states)
United States (other states) introduced
invasive
Weber, Ewald (2017) (p. 164)
"Invasive (species has established populations and exerts negative impacts on other species or habitats)" & "Naturalized (species has established populations"

Comments:  "E. calycina is native to southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho), and has been introduced to several countries around the world: the USA (Texas, California and Hawaii), Tunisia, Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, India, Australia and New Zealand."

"The grass has become invasive in western North America and Australia, where it forms dense and tall stands, eliminating all native plants.... Spread beghins from plants that have become established in bare soil as a result of disturbances. Once established, the grass expands and builds dense swards. The root system is rather shallow, thus the grass cannot row in heavy soils where competition from other plants is strong." (Invasive plant species of the world: A reference guide to environmental weeds. 2nd ed. CAB International (CABI), p. 163)

"Invasions of this grass into shrub communities cause a rapid shift toward non-native grassland. The grass establishes in the openings between shrubs and prevents germination and regeneration of these. Since perennial veldt grass accumulates large quantities of dried plants, natyural fire cycles are altered. In infested areas, fires are more frequent, stimulating seed germination and regrowth. This results in an increas of abundance of Ehrharta calycina (Bossard et al., 2000)." (Invasive plant species of the world: A reference guide to environmental weeds. 2nd ed. CAB International (CABI), p. 163-164)

"It is a widespread weed of roadsides and bushland on sandy soils [in southwestern Western Australia] . . . . It is especially common on the Swan Coastal Plain, where it is one of the most serious bushland weeds and a significant fire hazard." (Western Weeds, p. 48)

Growing in experimental gardens and not yet established in Hawaii in 1936 (Grasses of the Hawaiian Ranges, p. 129)

Control:  "If plants are removed manually, the buried base should be removed, otherwise resprouting will occur. Removal may stimulate seed germination, thus follo0up programmes are necessary. Prescribed burning is not appropriate for perennial veldt grass as fire promotes this grass (Bossard et&nbdp;al., 2001; Muyt, 2001). The conversion of native shrubland to alien grassland is likely to adversely affect wildlife (Bossard et&nbdp;al., 2000)." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium datasheet for Ehrharta calycina (perennial veldtgrass))

"Roots and rhizomes are shallow and plants are easy to uproot. All rhizomes must be removed to prevent regrowth. Herbicides are best applied before flowering stems elongate. Seedlings need to be treated in a follow-up programme." (Invasive Plants of the World (Weber, 2003), p. 146)

Western Australia: "For small infestations, cut out plants ensuring crown removal. Do not slash. Alternatively spray with FusiladeŽ Forte 13 ml/L or 6.5 L/ha + wetting agent on actively growing and unstressed plants. For generic fluazifop-p (212g/L active ingredient) 8ml/L or 4L/ha +wetting agent. Follow-up in subsequent years. Use unplanned fires to spray regrowth and seedlings within 4-6 weeks of germination. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides." (FloraBase)


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This page was created on 12 SEP 2017 and was last updated on 3 NOV 2018.