Environmental Weeds in Sydney North

• Noxious Weeds
• Other Significant Environmental Weeds
• Weed Alerts

Weed control

• Hand removal techniques
• Biocontrol

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Summer Grass

Botanical Name: Digitaria sanguinalis
Family:  

 

Description:
 An annual sprawling grass, growing almost horizontal from its centre in all directions and rooting where the stems touch the ground.

Thin greyish hairy leaves.

Dark seed heads with 3-13 spikes about 5cm long, growing from early summer to autumn.

Dispersal:

Impact on Bushland:
A nuisance in gardens and bushland. Very fast growing, sets a lot of seed which germinates only in warm soil. Seed germinates the following year.

Control:

Manual: Prevent it seeding.
  Find centre of plant and knife it out, ensuring you also get stems that have rooted along at the nodes.
  Bag any seed heads, leave rest of plant in dry place as it can grow again if left on damp ground.
  Mulch and/or shade to prevent germination.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.

Similar Species:
Digitaria parviflora, a perennial native grass. This has a more upright growth, does not node or hairy along the stem. It seems confined to bushland.

Suggested Alternatives:

References: