Have you seen this weed? Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus)
Auckland Council has been working to eliminate a high priority weed species that has posed a big threat to our environment and primary Industries
After years of rigorous control, monitoring, and surveillance, we are on the cusp of officially eradicating this species from Auckland.
We are now going through a process to ensure there are no active populations we have yet to detect .
If you think you have seen this weed, please report it so we can manage it as soon as possible. Email us: [email protected]
Weed description:
Stems are flattened and sheaths have long hairs.
Narrow, green or bluish-green leaves that turn straw-coloured with age with hairs at their base
Flower heads are long and thin, straw-coloured and with hairy seeds.
Habitats:
grasslands, pastures, roadsides, wastelands, and open disturbed areas.
Threat:
highly competitive, smothers existing vegetation and alters soil composition via allelopathy - the process by which plants release phytotoxic compounds (allelochemicals) in the soil environment, resulting in a harmful effect on neighboring plants.