[Cal-IPC] Invasive: Ehrharta calycina (purple veldtgrass) is a perennial grass (family Poaceae) found in disturbed grasslands, roadsides and coastal habitats in California?s south and central west regions. Purple veldtgrass is spreading very rapidly in the central coast region, where it invades dunes and shrublands. It was originally imported to California for use as a pasture grass and for erosion control. Purple veldtgrass displaces native vegetation and converts coastal scrub and chaparral communities to grasslands. It resprouts after fires and may increase fire frequency. Cal-IPC Rating: High (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Southern Africa native, Noxious weed: Distribution It is native to southern Africa; from South Africa (within the Cape Provinces, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal), Lesotho and Namibia.[1] It grows in Veld grassland habits and on low-lying sandy areas.[2] Description Ehrharta calycina is a highly variable perennial grass, often but not always rhizomatous. It usually reaches 30?70 centimetres (12?28 in) in height, but is known to grow much taller in favorable conditions. Introduced / invasive species The grass is an introduced species, including places such as; California, Egypt, Hawaii, India, New South Wales, New Zealand North, Portugal, South Australia, Spain, Tasmania, Texas, Tunisia, Victoria and Western Australia.[1] Sometimes becoming a noxious weed outside its native range. It is an invasive species in California, where it is an invasive weed of chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitat along the southern and central coastal regions.[4] It was first introduced to Davis in the Sacramento Valley as a drought-tolerant range grass for grazing.[5][6] It is also known as an invasive species and weed in parts of Australia. The species has been added to the list of invasive alien species of Union Concern.[7] This means it is now forbidden to trade, import and breed this plant in all Member States of the European Union (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)