Pampas grass, which features very showy plumes, is native to South America and was introduced into our country as an ornamental plant in gardens. This herbaceous species can reach up to 2.5 m in height and 3.5 m in diameter. It has long, narrow leaves with rough margins, sometimes even sharp, usually green or grayish when drier. And everyone knows its white-silvery plumes that can measure up to 70 cm, which can raise the total height of this plant to more than four meters.
Gradually, it began to spread uncontrollably and today it is one of the invasive exotic plants that has increased its distribution in Portugal the most. A single plant is capable of producing up to 1 million seeds, which, once dispersed by the wind, end up giving rise to new foci of infestation several kilometres away from the mother plant. Despite its beauty, this plant can cause allergies and injuries (since its leaves are very sharp) and constitutes a serious threat to the biodiversity and native vegetation of Portugal.
Its containment is very difficult, being effective only through the use of certain herbicides, which becomes very costly and with a substantial environmental impact.
The main problems of invasive plants
-They occupy the space of native species, which results in a loss of biodiversity; they create barriers to the movement of animals, since they form dense clumps and their leaves are sharp; they use resources available for other species;
-They are very difficult to remove, so eradication from invaded land entails high economic costs;
-They jeopardize our health: they can cause allergies and the leaves are sharp, potentially causing injuries.
