Ehrharta erecta
panic veldtgrass
Overview
Ehrharta erecta is a tufted perennial grass reaching 0.3-1 m (1-3 ft) tall, with weak, often sprawling stems that root at the lower nodes. The leaf blades are flat, soft, 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long and 5-12 mm wide, mid-green and thin-textured, with slightly wavy margins. The flowering stems carry open, nodding panicles 5-20 cm (2-8 in) long with small spikelets that drop readily as seed ripens. Flowering and seeding continue over much of the year in mild climates. Growth is rapid, and plants seed heavily, building up a persistent seed bank. The species tolerates shade better than most grasses, growing in moist, shaded sites where many grasses fail, as well as in sun. Native to southern Africa, it has naturalised widely in temperate regions, including coastal Australia and the western United States, where it invades bushland, gardens, and disturbed ground and is treated as an environmental weed.
Native Range
Native to southern Africa, in woodland, forest margins, and shaded slopes. It has naturalised in temperate regions worldwide, including coastal southeastern Australia, New Zealand, and the western United States.Suggested Uses
Has no horticultural use and is managed as an environmental weed in bushland, gardens, and disturbed ground. It is sometimes found as an unintended groundcover in shaded, neglected sites. Control rather than planting is the usual aim where it occurs.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'3"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green to strawFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight