Environmental Weeds in Sydney North

• Noxious Weeds
• Other Significant Environmental Weeds
• Weed Alerts

Weed control

• Hand removal techniques
• Biocontrol

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Whisky Grass

Botanical Name: Andropogon viginicus
Family: POACEAE  


Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council


Close up detailing hairy ligules
Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council

 

Description:
 Originating in America, Whisky Grass is a tufted, erect, brownish perennial with solid stems growing to 1m tall.

Leaf blades hairy near the base of the upper surface with hairy ligules.

Flowers 2-3cm long, flowering in summer. Seed on a bearded stalk up to 5mm long.

Dispersal:
Attachment, wind and mud.

Impact on Bushland:
A weed of road edges and sunny disturbed areas, it is one of the few weeds that can invade undisturbed bushland. It is a perennial grass, seeding during the summer months, browning off over winter, then re-shooting from the base in spring.

Control:

Manual: Knife out young plants cutting off fibrous roots below crown.
  For mature plants, cut off seed head and bag, then knife out plant as above.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.

Similar Species:
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis), a valuable native grass may be confused with Whisky Grass.

Suggested Alternatives:

References:
TAFE NSW