NatalgrassNatalgrass Rhynchelytrum repens syn. Melinis Rhynchelytrum repens syn. Melinis

repens repens (Willd.) Poaceae(Willd.) Poaceae

BiologyBiology• Native to Africa Native to Africa

• Introduced as a forage species in late Introduced as a forage species in late 1800’s in Florida, but poor quality 1800’s in Florida, but poor quality precluded widespread useprecluded widespread use

• Can be classified as a short-lived Can be classified as a short-lived perennial grassperennial grass

Distribution and ImpactsDistribution and Impacts

• Found throughout much of central and Found throughout much of central and south Floridasouth Florida

• Prefers dry soils, waste lands and Prefers dry soils, waste lands and perennial cropsperennial crops

• Readily infests abandoned areas, Readily infests abandoned areas, roadsides, unimproved pasturesroadsides, unimproved pastures

• Displaces native vegetation, prevents Displaces native vegetation, prevents natural successionnatural succession

Natalgrass Distribution in FloridaNatalgrass Distribution in Florida

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Perennial grass, 1 Perennial grass, 1

to 3 feet tallto 3 feet tall

• Bunch-type grass, Bunch-type grass, branching culms branching culms that root at the that root at the nodesnodes

LeavesLeaves• Leave are linearLeave are linear

• 8 to 12 inches long8 to 12 inches long

• Grow from erect Grow from erect clumpsclumps

PaniclePanicle• Flowers are pink-purple, Flowers are pink-purple,

borne in panicles 4 to 8 borne in panicles 4 to 8 inches longinches long

• Covered with reddish hairs, Covered with reddish hairs, turning gray/silver with ageturning gray/silver with age

• Seeds extremely viable, Seeds extremely viable, wind-dispersed – major wind-dispersed – major mechanism of spreadmechanism of spread

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Remove existing plants, before seeds Remove existing plants, before seeds

are producedare produced

2.2. Prevent movement of plant material, Prevent movement of plant material, such as seed contaminated fill dirt, such as seed contaminated fill dirt, into areas not infested with natalgrassinto areas not infested with natalgrass

3.3. Rouge out plants in abandoned areas Rouge out plants in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Programs to educate farmers, Programs to educate farmers,

ranchers and the general public about ranchers and the general public about the problems associated with the problems associated with natalgrass and proper identificationnatalgrass and proper identification

2.2. Dense groundcover, native or Dense groundcover, native or pasture, will deter the growth of pasture, will deter the growth of natalgrass seedlingsnatalgrass seedlings

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for natalgrass agents available for natalgrass management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Can be removed with repeated, aggressive Can be removed with repeated, aggressive

tillagetillage Limited to open (non-forested) sitesLimited to open (non-forested) sites Disk several times during season – need to Disk several times during season – need to

repeat for emerging seedlings from soil repeat for emerging seedlings from soil seedbankseedbank

Desiccates plants & exhaust food reservesDesiccates plants & exhaust food reserves

2.2. Burning effective in removing above ground Burning effective in removing above ground biomass, may enhance chemical control biomass, may enhance chemical control measures – but will not provide control!!measures – but will not provide control!!

ChemicalChemical1.1. Broadcast applications for large areasBroadcast applications for large areas

Glyphosate at 2 to 4 lbs-ai/AGlyphosate at 2 to 4 lbs-ai/A Imazapyr at 0.5 to 1.0 lbs-ai/AImazapyr at 0.5 to 1.0 lbs-ai/A

2.2. Spot treatment for smaller areasSpot treatment for smaller areas Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solutionGlyphosate – 2 to 3% solution Imazapyr – 0.5 to 1% solutionImazapyr – 0.5 to 1% solution

3.3. Use surfactant at 0.25%Use surfactant at 0.25%

4.4. Adhere to planting restrictions for imazapyr, Adhere to planting restrictions for imazapyr, may cause residual damagemay cause residual damage

IntegratedIntegrated1. For best results combine:

Burning Tillage (mechanical disturbance) Chemical applications

2. Burn or mow before herbicide application Remove excess thatch and older

leaves Initiates regrowth

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage: http://

www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER).

Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp