𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: Pampas

There’s an aggressive South American invader taking the place of our native plants and we need your help to stop it! Pampas (often confused with native toetoe) is a problem across Taranaki, particularly in coastal areas, along riverbanks and on forest margins. It takes over large areas out-competing native vegetation. Each fluffy plume can produce up to 100,000 seeds which are blown by the wind up to 30km. How do you tell it apart from toetoe? Pampas plumes are tall and upright. It has dead leaves on the base which spiral like wood shavings. The toetoe plume is droopier and doesn’t spiral. Pampas leaves snap readily when given a sharp tug, Toetoe leaves do not. What can you do to help? If you have pampas on your property please remove it ASAP. The best way is to dig it out, roots and all. And remember, pampas is part of the National Pest Plant Accord which means it’s illegal to propagate it, distribute it or sell it. For more information on pampas and other weeds go to weedbusters.org.nz or email [email protected].