Little love grass

Little love grass is an annual grass that typically grows to 60cm tall.

Description

• Leaves are flat or rolled, sometimes with wart-like glands along the margins.

• Ovate clusters of flowers that are 4-20cm long with spikelets that flower from May through to September.

• Spikelets are yellowish-green, grey or purplish that break up from the base.

• Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, and animals.

• Habitats include disturbed and open habitats with sandy or gravelly soils.

What you need to know

Little love grass disrupts native ecosystems and outcompetes other plants.

Management approach

Little love grass is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of little love grass yourself. Report any sightings to us.