Toetoe or Pampas
As we gear up for planting season, let's chat about those pesky plants that might be causing chaos in your gully – like woolly nightshade, privet, old man's beard, and of course, pampas grass. Thankfully, the Waikato Regional Council website has some awesome resources to help us identify and tackle these troublemakers.
We're spotlighting pampas grass because this invasive weed species is often mistaken for native NZ plant toetoe but it’s much less friendly to our ecosystems. Pampas spreads rapidly, forming large dense clumps that block the growth of native plants. Plus, it's like a five-star hotel for unwelcome animal pests – rats, possums, you name it, they all love its dense shelter. And the wood shaving-like curls at the base? A fire risk. Definitely a plant to remove!
Pampas and Toetoe Photo Credit: Weedbusters and Pest Free Kaipātiki
So how can you tell what’s growing in your gully? Here are some helpful tips, thanks to blogger and environmentalist Mark Danenhauer:
1. When Does It Flower? Toetoe and pampas flower at different times of the year. Toetoe flowers in spring, while pampas flowers in autumn (February to June). However, the flowers may stay on the plant for a while, so use other clues too.
2. What Do The Flowers Look Like? Pampas flowers stand upright, while toetoe flowers tend to droop. But be warned, older pampas flowers may droop as they age.
3. Look at the Leaves From a distance, the leaves may look similar, but up close, you'll see the difference. Pampas grass has a single mid-rib running the length of the leaf, making it easy to tear. In contrast, toetoe has multiple veins, and its leaves don't tear easily. Also, dead toetoe leaves droop but don't form wood shaving-like curls at the base like pampas does.
Leaf photo credits: Mark Danenhauer
How to Deal with Pampas on Your Property
Remove Flower Heads: Start by cutting off pampas flower heads and bagging them up for disposal to prevent seed spread.
Physical Removal: If possible, dig out smaller pampas plants. For larger plants, cut the trunk or stems as close to the ground as possible. Leaf matter can be left on-site as mulch. Always wear gloves and eye protection – pampas is sharp and unfriendly!
Spray with Glyphosate: Spraying works best in spring and summer when the plant is growing. Use a mixture of glyphosate and penetrant oil to ensure the spray adheres to the leaves. Adding a dye helps you see where you've sprayed.
Cut and Paste for Small Plants: For smaller pampas plants, trim the stems and apply a cut-and-paste gel, available at Bunnings or Mitre 10.
Cut and pasting pampas grass Photo Credit Alison Ewing
Need help distinguishing between toetoe and pampas? Snap a photo and send it our way. Got any questions? Drop us a line anytime!
