The Greenspace Insider

Volume 1, Number 5 November/December, 2001

INVASIVE, EXOTIC PLANT SPECIES OF THE CAMBRIA MONTEREY PINE FOREST

Recently, Greenspace attended a workshop organized by The Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative, a program of the Genetic Resources Conservation Program. The meeting was held at the Pebble Beach Community Services District office. The workshop had a number of objectives including weed identification and appropriate removal techniques. This will be the first in a series of articles discussing how invasive plants affect our forest and animal populations. We will focus on two invasive plants in this issue of the Greenspace Insider pampasgrass (Cortaderia selloana) and jubatagrass (Cortaderia jubata). Jubatagrass germinates in the spring and prefers the cool coastal climate. It is extremely opportunistic and likes disturbed sites like road cuts and land slide areas.Plants can survive up to 15 years. Jubatagrass plants have only female flowers and produce asexually no pollen required. All seed produced are genetically identical to the parent plant. Each plume can contain 100,000 seed!! The seed has proven to be dispersed by wind up to 20 miles from the mother plant. Fortunately, the seed does not survive long in soil. Jubatagrass Pampasgrass germinates in plant

Origin Both pampasgrass and jubatagrass are native to South America. Pampasgrass are native specifically to Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay while jubatagrass is from northern Argentina, and in the higher elevations of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. the spring and tolerates a more diverse climate. Pampasgrass was introduced and grown comConsequently, its range is broader and the potential mercially in Santa Barbara the mid-1800s for for infestations in colder and hotter climates is comornamental plants. The Soil Conservation Serpelling. Pampasgrass produces sexually and each vice began using the plant for erosion control plant contains flowers of only one sex. Since the projects in the late 1940s. How jubatagrass female plant has been propagated extensively by entered the United States is unclear but the horJubatagrass (left) and female pampasgrass (right) nursery industry fewer male plants proportionthe ticultural trade is the likely route. ately exist. In most populations of pampasgrass both sexes do not coexist which results in low overall seed production. Plant Characteristics Pampasgrass and jubatagrass are often confused, as they look What You Can Do nearly identical at first glance. Cambria has both plants in our opinControlling further spread of these grasses is important. As a resiion but jubatagrass clearly prevails as the predominate plant. Gen- dent or landowner you can take a few simple preventative measures to erally, pampasgrass plants are larger than jubata and the plumes stop the spread of these plants. If the understory is removed from your are showier and taller. Jubatagrass plumes tend to be purplish forested property and the soil is bare mulching will prevent infestations. whereas pampasgrass plumes are erect, creamier and fountain- Over seeding with appropriate vegetation can hinder establishment of like. these grasses. Mechanical control, pulling, and hand grubbing smaller plants is highly effective. Larger plants will require tools like a Mattock or Pulaski. Large multi-plant infestations will require a chain saw to remove the above ground foliage and a shovel to remove the root system. Where hundreds of plants are involved chemical control is often used however, we do not support the use of chemicals and recommend mechanical remedies. Ecosystem Damage The problems these plants cause in Californias coastal ecosystems is that they crowd out native plant species. This is especially true in the narrow coastal dune habitat remaining in California. In coastal-forested areas where site disturbance has occurred seedling regeneration can be reduced significantly if infestations of these grasses is allowed to flourish. These grasses provide little food value to native fauna. Large infestations of pampas or jubata can impede access to fight forest fires and be a fire hazard themselves. From a health viewpoint, the razorlike leaf edges can cause injury to the unwary hiker or unprotected eradicator.

(1)plumes of jubatagrass showing purple coloration; (2 & 3) male pampasgrass; (4 & 5) female pampasgrass; Note purplish tinge in male pampasgrass plumes

INVASIVE SPECIES FACTS

California Map with Current Range of Infestation Jubatagrass & Pampasgrass

A LIST OF SOME INVASIVE ORNAMENTALS IN THE CAMBRIA MONTEREY FOREST - PAMPASGRASS - JUBATAGRASS - KUKUYAGRASS - CAPE IVY - PERIWINKLE - ACACIA - FRENCH BROOM - RATTLESNAKE GRASS - ARUNDO - ITALIAN THISTLE - BERMUDA BUTTERCUP

HOW INVASIVE PLANTS ALTER ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES - CHANGE STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND COMPOSITION OF PLANT COMMUNITY - ALTER HYDROLOGIC FLOWS AND CONDITIONS - CHANGE SOIL STRUCTURE AND CHEMISTRY - INFLUENCE FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF FIRES, FLOODS, AND OTHER DISTURBANCE REGIMES - CHANGE PATTERNS OF NUTRIENT CYCLING

Post Office Box 1505 Cambria, California 93428 (805) 927-2866 - Phone (805) 927-7530 - Fax e-mail: rick@GreenspaceCambria.org www.GreenspaceCambria.org

Local Land Conservation Since 1988

Recipient of 2001 National Arbor Day Award

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