Vulpia Hair Grass

Vulpia spp

In New Zealand three species of Vulpia (Vulpia spp) are found and being very difficult to identify they are collectively known as vulpia hair grass (VHG) or silver grass, rat-tail or squirrel-tailed fescue. Left uncontrolled VHG is a very aggressive weed leading to very serious yield losses and reduced seed quality through contamination. When small VFG has very thin upright and hair-like leaves, hence its name, and it grows in a tufty manner. Germination generally takes place at the same time as the crop. Later when it comes into ear it develops the long silvery panicles which give it the other common names.

Related Pests

Vetch

Vicia sativa

Throughout New Zealand, Vetch (Vicia sativa) is a very common weed, and varies in terms of leaf shape, flower number, size and colour and the size of the pod. Pinnate leaves bear four to eight pairs of linear leaflets, and end in branched tendrils at the end of the leaves. Pea-like flowers vary in colour from white, to pink to purple, and are found singly or in pairs, but not clusters. Flowers are up to 28mm long, and appear between August to June. The seed-pods are about 6cm long, brownish-black, and contain five to twelve seeds that are brown with dark spots. Found in gardens, grassland, waste and marshy areas, and on the edges of forests.

Scentless Chamomile

Matricaria perforata

Scentless Chamomile (Matricaria perforata) is a bushy annual or biennial plant that grows to 60 cm and is wholly or almost scentless. It has an erect stem, with branches only from mid stem upwards. The leaves are fern like and sticky. The flowers are large, with twelve white petals, with central yellow disc florets, giving the flower a daisy-like appearance. They appear singly on stems and branches between December and March.

Found in moist disturbed areas such as roadsides, cropland, pasture, drainage ditches and waste areas. The seeds are 2 mm, dark brown with a raise edge, and each plant produces 10,000 - 200,000 seeds which germinate in shallow soil.

Spurrey

Spergula arvensis

Spurrey (Spergula arvensis) is a fine-stemmed, sprawling annual weed which is commonly found throughout New Zealand. It can often grow dense. Severely competing with and smother crop seedlings and establishing pastures. Spurrey germinates in the autumn and spring.