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Whisky Grass
Environmental Weed
Botanical name: Andropogon viginicus
Photos: Ku-ring-gai Council Close up detailing hairy ligules.
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.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
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.
- Barbed-wire Grass - see the Look-a-likes booklet
References
TAFE NSW
