Glyceria maxima54 habit3 (8685228520)

Description:

Description: Introduced, warm-season, perennial, erect, stout grass with stems up to 2.5 m tall arising from rhizomes. A native of Europe, it has been planted in swampy areas as a fodder crop and has naturalised in streams, dams and drains in depths of up to 2 m. It appears to be fairly common on basalt soils of the Ebor - Dorrigo region on the Northern Tablelands. Palatable, productive, nutritious, provides shelter for waterbirds and can reduce streambank erosion. A highly invasive weed in well-aerated wet conditions. It outcompetes other species and forms monocultures, accumulates toxic levels of hydrocyanic acid that can result in stock cyanide poisoning, and causes siltation of streams and dams. Rhizomes comprise around half the plant’s total biomass and are capable of producing large infestations in a short period of time. Its control can lead to large amounts of decaying matter that pollutes water unless the material is removed. Date: 15 March 2013, 11:59. Source: Glyceria maxima54 habit3. Author: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.