Characteristics of common pasture species

Plant Annual/ perennial Main reproductive/ spreading mechanism Response to fertility Tolerance to acid soils Response to summer rain Chemical control
Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) Perennial Tillering (dormant buds formed in spring to emerge in autumn) and rhizomes. Seeds are prone to predators. High Low-moderate (depending on variety) Low
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Perennial Tillering and seeding (seeds form mid-late spring depending on variety) High Moderate Low-moderate
Summer dormant tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Perennial Tillering and rhizomes High Moderate Low
Mediterranean tall fescue Perennial Tillering and rhizomes High Moderate Moderate
Summer active cocksfoot (Dactilus glomerata) Perennial Tillering and seedling recruitment Moderate Moderate to high Moderate
Summer dormant cocksfoot Perennial Tillering Moderate Moderate to high Low-moderate
Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) Perennial Rhyzomes and stolons High High High
Lucerne (Medicago sativa.) Perennial Branches High Low High
Chicory (Cichorum intybus) Perennial Seeding late spring High Moderate High
Weeping grass (Microlaena stipoides) Perennial Rhyzomes and stolons in response to spring/summer rainfall Moderate High Moderate – high
Wallaby grass (Rytidosperma spp.) Perennial Seeding late spring Low- moderate (depending on variety) High Moderate
Red grass (Bothriochloa macra) Perennial Seeding late spring/summer Moderate High High
Annual ryegrass Annual Seeding mid-late spring High Moderate Moderate
Sub clover (Trifolium subterraneum) Annual Seeding (early-late spring depending on variety), germinates with low ground cover in autumn. High Moderate None
Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) Annual Seeding early spring, germinates with low ground cover in autumn. High High None Spray graze in autumn
Erodium (Erodium cicutarium) Annual Seeding early spring, germinate autumn, germinates with low ground cover in autumn. Low High None Spray graze in autumn
Barley grass (Hordeum spp.) Annual Seeding early spring, germinate autumn High High None Spray top in early spring
Silver grass (Vulpia) Annual Seeding early spring, germinate autumn Low High None Winter clean
Onion grass (Rumulea rosea) Annual Corms in winter and seeds in spring, germinate at soil temperature <16.5o in Autumn Low High None Metsulfuron-methyl 6-8 weeks after emergence.
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