Californian bulrush

General description

Dense, clumping, rhizomatous rush < 4 m tall. Stems are triangular. Flowers are small, brown and borne in drooping inflorescences in November – April. Nuts are small and cream/grey.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

• You must not breed, distribute, release or sell Californian bulrush. As Californian bulrush is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.
• You must not plant Californian bulrush within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property.
• You must destroy any Californian bulrush on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person.

Habitats

Brackish riparian margins and estuaries, drainage ditches, pasture.

Dispersal

Vegetative spread from rhizomes, dispersed by water.

Impact on environment

Forms dense stands, excluding native sedge species. Potential to alter soil conditions by stabilising sand bars and river margins.

Control

Site Management

Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts.

Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications: Foliar spray with 100ml glyphosate green per 10L of water.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 100ml glyphosate green per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.