Family: Poaceae

Status: Declared noxious in all four south coast Local Government Areas, in category W2 (must be continuously suppressed and destroyed), except for parts of the Bega Valley where it is too well established for this to be feasible, where it is in category W3 (must be prevented from spreading and reduced to Council’s satisfaction).

Description:
A tall grass (to 1.2m) with a variable appearance. Leaves are in a basal tussock, and may be coloured from blue to dark green, and vary in width from 2-5mm. They may be low and spreading, or held quite erect. More than one form of the grass may be present in the one location, to further confuse matters. The most distinctive feature is the black colour of the young seed heads, which are usually branched and spreading, up to 30cm long. Very young seed heads may have the branches folded close to the main stem, making them look more linear, but they open out as they age.

Preferred habitat and impacts:
Originally planted for soil stabilisation on poor soils, it thrives on sandy low nutrient soils, roadsides and over-grazed pasture Once established it spreads rapidly in pasture. It has low nutritional value, and is not eaten by stock. Consequently it replaces more palatable species in grazed pasture. It is highly flammable and creates a fire hazard.
It may also invade forest, along tracks. It is a serious weed of remnant grassy native vegetation in farming areas.

Dispersal:
Slashing of seeding plants spreads it on roadsides. The seed is not adhesive on animals or clothing, but does pass through livestock in a viable state, so it can be spread by animals moving between paddocks. Hay cut from infested paddocks can spread it to new areas. Also spread in mud adhering to vehicles and machinery.

Look-alikes:
The most similar native grass is poa or silver tussock (Poa labillardieri ), which is also quite variable in leaf colour and width. Both have leaves which are rough to the touch if rubbed from tip to base. Poa tussock differs in having the young seed heads purple tinged, rather than black. Its seed stalks tend to be held more upright than those of African lovegrass, but the colour is the most reliable feature. There are several native lovegrasses, of which only one occurring on the south coast looks similar to African lovegrass. Eragrostis parviflora has long nodding seed heads which are more linear in outline, rather than spreading, but are also black or leaden grey in colour. It is usually a smaller plant overall. It tends to occur on disturbed sites such as the frequently sprayed edges of roads, where it can form a dense low stand. However, African lovegrass also occurs in this situation.

Control:
Dig plants out and dispose of them carefully to avoid spreading the seed. Spot spraying can also be used to remove scattered plants. Use of a selective herbicide is preferable, particularly when removing African lovegrass from among native vegetation. Once a dense infestation has developed, cultivation and establishment of a vigorous perennial pasture may be needed. Do not graze in the first year, and remove any seedlings which appear. Manage grazing intensity to maintain pasture vigour to out-compete lovegrass seedlings.