Journal of the Australian Native Plants Society Canberra region (Inc)

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The Canberra threat of African lovegrass

By Stephen Saunders

Jan, 2025


Invasive native species can be a weed problem in Canberra — but not like invasive exotics.

If (like me) you often visit the NSW south coast (Bega and Eurobodalla shires), you may have noticed African lovegrass is an environmental problem down there, though eradication programs are established.

Until quite recently, I didn’t even realise Eragrostis curvula had also established in Canberra over the past decade or so, being costly and difficult to eradicate, once it gets a toehold. I’d been walking past outbreaks, only a few hundred metres from where we live in the Inner North.

2023 infestation in parkland just near O’Connor scout hall

Even for plant buffs, it’s easy to overlook local grasses, be they native or exotic. The eye seems to be drawn to taller shrubs and trees.

But, once you get the hang of it, you should be able to discern the clumps of this species, which is the first step to doing something about it.

First, it’s relatively tall for a grass, the whole plant growing from 30cm to as high as 120cm. Check the photos here.

Infestation at Wakefield Park in Ainslie, 2023

It doesn’t look that much like most of the native grasses around Canberra, such as wallaby and kangaroo grasses, tussock and bent grasses, spear and wire grasses.

Although ACT itself and surrounding NSW do have several native Eragrostis, which are somewhat similar in appearance, these don’t appear to be invasive in our urban areas.

The African type occurs in clumps, bunched and tufted in appearance, with narrow leaves that are dark green to blue green, about 25–35cm long.

The flowering stems rise above the tufted leaves and carry a loose fanlike grey-green flower head.

2023 infestation at Haig Park on the edge of Civic

Canberra lovegrass problem

The ACT Government is aware of the problem. African lovegrass is established in some southside areas and becoming a problem on the northside.

Growing to waist height, it can undermine green space, parks and playgrounds. It can form a monoculture, smothering our grassy ecosystems, disfavouring the rare earless dragon, and elevating ACT bushfire dangers. As a tall grass, it can make children’s playgrounds and green spaces difficult to access. Unfortunately, the current mowing regime can spread it.

Lovegrass monoculture near Higgins playground, 2024

The concern is that, unless the government risk ratings and control measures are stepped up, the situation could deteriorate. Best approaches to managing the problem will depend on the location in Canberra, but these approaches require investment.

Where the weed is in earlier stages of establishment, as in the Inner North, ground staff could be resourced to tackle infested areas each spring, before they set seed, and again in summer.

Seeds of local and more favourable grasses could be strewn after rains. Also, tree plantings discourage lovegrass, which dislikes shade.

A different approach may be required for arterial roads and southside infestations.

Mowing regimes and mower-cleaning practices should be upgraded, because they’re spreading the seed and thus the weed, via arterial roads. From arterial roads the weed is spreading to suburbs.

Physical barriers could be placed around larger southside infestations, to stop the spread. Smaller outbreaks on adjacent terrain could be destroyed. Lovegrass on arterial roads could be slashed or mowed before it goes to seed in the spring and summer.

Full eradication of African lovegrass in the ACT is no longer possible. But effective management is possible, essential even. A policy to manage African lovegrass in suburbs is needed, in addition to government’s “asset protection” priorities.

Like any weed, early action to contain and manage the spread is the best approach, and less costly over the long-term.

What citizens can do

Concerned citizens can work to support the ACT Government eradication efforts.

ACT Landcare, environmental groups and volunteers have had recent successes, protecting areas they’re responsible for, from African lovegrass. These groups would benefit from government support.

Control efforts by Higgins Landcare group, 2023

Community groups and individuals could plot weed sightings at Canberra Nature Map (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/), and these observations might be used as a tool to locate and destroy lovegrass infestations in the suburbs.

If you encounter outbreaks, you could log them on Nature Map or report them to ACT Government (https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/trees-and-nature/weed-control).

If it’s a small outbreak, groups or individuals can remove the seed heads, place them carefully in secure bags, and dispose of them in garbage (not green waste!) bins. Remember, each plant has hundreds of seeds.

Take great care, not to spread the weed through your own mowing activities.

If infestations in your area seem problematic, then as with any other neighbourhood issue, you can make representations to your local MLAs in ACT Legislative Assembly.

Photos reproduced by permission


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