Ehrharta erecta

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Starr 010324-9001 Ehrharta erecta.jpg

| genus = Ehrharta

| species = erecta

| authority = Lam.

}}

File:Starr_010324-9001_Ehrharta_erecta.jpg

Ehrharta erecta is a species of grass commonly known as panic veldtgrass. The species is native to Southern Africa and Yemen. It is a documented invasive species in the United States,{{cite web |last1=Frey |first1=Mark |title=Element Stewardship Abstract for Ehrharta spp. Thunb. |url=http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/ehrh_sp.html |publisher=The Nature Conservancy |access-date=2019-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124204420/http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/ehrh_sp.html |archive-date=2005-11-24}} New Zealand, Australia, southern Europe and China.{{cite web|title=Ehrharta erecta (panic veldtgrass)|url=http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/114038|publisher=Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International|access-date=2016-02-03}}

The species is perennial, and normally grows to about 30 to 50 centimeters, although it may reach two meters in height. It will grow in a wide variety of habitats, even in shade.{{cite web|title=Ehrharta erecta |url=http://www.iewf.org/weedid/ehrharta_erecta.htm |publisher=International Environmental Weed Foundation |access-date=2016-02-03}}

The species has been used for birdseed, and in ecological restoration such as dune stabilization. However, it has become an invasive weed in many parts of the world. It flowers and seeds throughout the year, and its seeds germinate rapidly, forming new plants in only a few weeks.{{cite web|title=Panic Veldt Grass|date=13 January 2011 |url=http://sydneyweeds.org.au/weed/panic-veldt-grass/|publisher=Sydney Weeds Committees|access-date=2013-12-27}}{{cite web |title=Weed of the month: November 2013 |url=http://www.angair.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=29 |publisher=ANGAIR |access-date=2013-12-27}}

In Ireland, E. erecta was first recorded in the 18th century, but there are earlier records from Great Britain.{{cite journal |last1=Nash |first1=D. |title=Panic Veldt Grass (Ehrharta erecta L.) a grass new to Ireland |journal=Irish Naturalists' Journal |date=22 June 2018 |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=30–31}}