Eradication of Pennisetum setaceum and P. villosum in Sète (France)
Pennisetum setaceum (Poaceae – EPPO Alert List) and P. villosum originate from Northern Africa, and are used as ornamental plants.
In Sète (Languedoc-Roussillon region, south of France), the Park and Leisure service of the Municipality has been involved in removing invasive alien plants from its plantations and advising alternative plants for several years. Although not planted for ornamental purposes, 23 plants of P. setaceum and 26 plants of P. villosum have been discovered on a road side in the city of Sète. It is hypothesised that they entered as contaminants of other ornamental plants. The municipality therefore decided to conduct an eradication programme against these 2 species, consisting in the following actions:
- cutting plants and collecting all plant parts (including spikes) for incineration
- spraying of each cut plant with glyphosate.
The cost of eradication was estimated to be 187 euros. Since the seeds of these 2 species can remain viable for 6 years, a monitoring programme will be undertaken and any regrowth will be destroyed. While undertaking the eradication programme, the press was invited in order to raise awareness among the public on the topic of invasive alien plants and several papers were published in the local newspapers.
Sources
Francis Brot, Direction Jardins Paysage et Nettoiement, Ville de Sète (FR). E-mail: brot@ville-sete.fr
Schlama O (2009) Le Languedoc veut contrer les plantes invasives. Midi Libre. 2009-07-13.