Nassella neesiana
Chilean needle grass
Chilean needle grass, named for its long, pointed seeds, is a perennial tussock forming grass which grows in dense clumps to one metre high. It is closely related to serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) and is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). Chilean needle grass affects sown pasture and native grasslands of south-eastern Australia. It is relatively unpalatable and reduces farm productivity by displacing more desirable pasture species. Heavy infestations can decrease productivity by as much as 50 per cent during summer. It also injures stock and downgrades wool, skins and hides with its long, sharp seeds. Chilean needle grass is [...]
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Sporobolus pyramidalis
Giant rat’s tail grass
Giant rat’s tail grass is a tufted perennial to about 1.8 m tall. It occurs as a weed in pastures and bushland areas, particularly on poorer soils. It produces leaf blades that are tough and difficult for cattle to graze, leading to reduced feed intake and reduced animal production. The seed heads are generally a ‘rat’s tail’ like spike when young and may branch to an elongated pyramidal shape when mature. Giant rat’s tail grass is native to Africa. Its seed is orange-brown, tapered-cylindrical, about 1 mm long. Roots are fibrous. The grass has a dense branched panicle up to [...]
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Hymenachne amplexicaulis
Hymenachne
Hymenachne is a semi-aquatic perennial grass that has become a major weed of wetlands, flood plains and sugar cane crops of northern Australia. Originally introduced to Queensland and the Northern Territory as a ponded pasture species, it has invaded freshwater wetlands, flood plains and river banks. It forms dense infestations, displaces native plant species, reduces biodiversity and threatens native wetland habitat. Native to the tropics of South and Central America, it is a serious weed in Australia, the West Indies, Indonesia, the Florida wetlands of USA and Suriname. Once considered a source of dry season fodder for cattle, it has [...]
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