Holcus lanatus (common velvet grass)

Holcus lantus

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Holcus lanatus (common velvetgrass) is a tufted perennial grass (family Poaceae) that tolerates high levels of heavy metals in the soil and sulfur dioxide in the air. It establishes best in moist conditions and is a facultative wetland indicator.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate

Cal-IPC Resources on Holcus lanatus

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Holcus lanatus.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Holcus lanatus.
• Weed Worker's Handbook (pdf) - Includes reproduction factors and treatment options.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• Young, S. L. (2002). Exploring alternative methods for vegetation control and maintenance along roadsides. CalEPPC News. 10: 5-7.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Antonio, C. D. and J. Gerlach (2003). Annual grasses: Status of biology and control. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.
• Clines, J., J. DiTomaso, et al. (2004). Grasses working group. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Cooper, V. K. and B. J. Moritsch (1999). Weeding the wilderness: Non-native plant management at Point Reyes National Seashore. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '99. Sacramento, CA.
• Corbin, J. D., M. Thomsen, et al. (2004). Out of the frying pan: Invasion of exotic perennial grasses in coastal prairies. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Shoulders, C. (2001). Successful removal of cape ivy and recovery of riparian vegetation on two acres along Redwood Creek, Marin County: Changes in cover three years after removal. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium 2001. San Diego, CA.

Other Resources on Holcus lanatus

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.

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