Pampasgrass and Jubatagrass Threaten California Coastal Habitats

Where are they weedy in California?

Jubatagrass was first reported as a weed in 1966 in logged redwood forests of Humboldt County. Since then it has become common in disturbed ditch banks, road cuts, cliffs and cut-over areas, and eroded or exposed soil below 2,600 ft from San Diego County to the Oregon border. Although it is typically found on sandy soils, it can survive on other soil types, including serpentine.

Pampasgrass is a commonly grown ornamental throughout California, including interior regions. It has escaped cultivation in Southern California, and appears to be more common than jubatagrass from Santa Barbara to San Diego County. It has also escaped cultivation in moist soils along the American River near Sacramento, but is rarely invasive in dry inland habitats. Despite its widespread use as an ornamental, pampasgrass rarely escapes cultivation away from the coast, and is not considered a problem in the Central Valley or inland foothills.

Areas of jubatagrass and pampasgrass infestation

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