Ehrharta erecta

Ehrharta erecta_erect velvetgrass_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Ehrharta panicea SM., E. paniciformis Nees ex Trin., Panicum deflexum Guss., Trochera panicea Baill

Common names: panic veldtgrass; Ehrharta; Lamarck's Ehrharta; panic veld grass; Stebbin's grass

Ehrharta erecta (panic veldtgrass) is a perennial grass (family Poaceae) found along California’s coastline and in the southern Sacramento Valley. Panic veldtgrass is commonly found in disturbed areas, including riparian areas, scrub, grassland, woodland, urban areas and turf. This native to South Africa was cultivated in Berkeley and Davis in the mid-1900s as an experimental grass. It spreads rapidly and is known to out-compete native grasses and herbs. Panic veldtgrass causes more litter accumulation than native grasses and herbs do, which further inhibits native plant growth.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Ehrharta erecta Information

  • Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Ehrharta erecta_young plant_copyright2019_NealKramer
    Ehrharta erecta (panic veldtgrass) young plant. Photo: &#169 2019 Neal Kramer
    Ehrharta erecta_leaf blade and sheath_ZoyaAkulova
    Ehrharta erecta (panic veldtgrass) leaf blade and sheath. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Ehrharta erecta_panicle with spikelets_JeanPawek
    Ehrharta erecta (panic veldtgrass) panicle with spikelets. Photo: Jean Pawek
    Ehrharta erecta_growth habit_JeanPawek
    Ehrharta erecta (panic veldtgrass) growth habit. Photo: Jean Pawek