A small Australian coastal town has been invaded by one of the nation’s worst weeds, sparking a warning from authorities this week.
Six patches of buffel grass were found on council land at Arno Bay, on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
It’s suspected the grass seeds were inadvertently brought into the town on the cars driven by visiting tourists, where they lay dormant until the weather suddenly changed.
Liam Anderson from the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board explained to Yahoo News that the plants sprout after significant rains, usually of at least 20mm.
“We’ve received a fair bit of rain over the last three or four weeks, so the germination went out of control,” he told Yahoo News.
There are multiple invasive grasses that threaten South Australian towns, including African lovegrass which was recently found to have spread on the Limestone Coast.
But across the Eyre Peninsula, there’s one plant more than any other that drives fear into the hearts of experts.
“When it comes to weeds, buffel grass is our top priority,” Anderson said.
Is an invasive plant spreading into your property? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com
This buffel grass plant was one of several discovered at Arno Bay. Source: Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board
Simple rules to stop the spread of buffel grass
Anderson discovered the buffel grass during a routine patrol of the town after the downpour.
As it’s a declared notifiable weed across the state, he used a chemical cocktail containing the herbicides glyphosate and flupropanate, along with pine oil, to suppress the plant’s sticky seeds.
Buffel grass had been documented one kilometre away on the side of a highway, but this marks the first time it’s been seen in Arno Bay.
If it were to spread further across the town, entire nature strips, lawns and gardens could be destroyed.
For those who remember the 1984 comedy Gremlins, there was a string of rules that needed to be followed to stop the tiny monsters from multiplying and destroying the town — including don’t get them wet or feed them after midnight.
When it comes to buffel grass in South Australia, there’s an equally important list to stop its spread.
Check your property after heavy rain.
Do not move plants or soil from the site.
Report all sightings of buffel grass.
The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s biggest concern right now is that someone could inadvertently mow a patch of buffel grass.
And it has been working with residents, local businesses, and council, warning them to check their property for the weed because lawnmowers can further spread its seeds.
“If somebody unsuspected mowed it, that would be the worst fear,” Anderson said.
Anyone in the state who spots buffel grass should contact their local landscape board for help.
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