Cane needle grass (Nassella hyalina)

Cane needle grass is a tussock-forming grass. It is drought tolerant and forms dense, competitive infestations.

Biosecurity duty

This plant is on the National Environmental Alert List
This plant should not be sold in parts of NSW

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Cane needle grass is drought tolerant and forms dense, competitive infestations. It is closely related to serrated tussock which costs southeastern Australia’s grazing industries more than $40 million annually in control expenditure and lost production. Several species of Nassella have proven difficult to control and have continued to spread since their introduction into Australia, and are now environmental and agricultural weeds.

What does it look like?

Cane needle grass is a perennial grass that grows in clumps up to 120 cm tall. The long, upright flower stems look like canes. Seeds have a twisted tail that sticks out from the flower spikelet. Plants flower in spring and summer.

Where is it found?

Cane needle grass is found in New South Wales and Victoria. It was first recorded on the northern tablelands of NSW in 1951.

It is native to South America.

Maps and records

Recorded presence of Cane needle grass during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2023)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.

How does it spread?

Sharp seeds attach to clothing, fur, machinery and vehicles.

Seed can also be spread via wind and water and in contaminated fodder and soil.

More information

Control

Herbicide options

WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au

See Using herbicides for more information.

PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L (Tussock®)
Rate: 500 mL per 10 L water
Comments: Wiper suppression
Withholding period: Spot spray: Do NOT graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. Blanket spray: Do NOT graze, or cut for stock feed for at least 4 months. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days.
Herbicide group: J, Inhibitors of fat synthesis (Not ACCase inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 3 L per ha
Comments: Broadacre control
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 L per 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate

PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 3.3 L per 10 L water
Comments: Wiper suppression
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate

Flupropanate 745 g/L (Tussock®)
Rate: 1.5 to 3 L /ha
Comments: Broadacre control. See label for critical comments.
Withholding period: Spot spray: Do NOT graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. Blanket spray: Do NOT graze, or cut for stock feed for at least 4 months. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days.
Herbicide group: J, Inhibitors of fat synthesis (Not ACCase inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Flupropanate 745 g/L (Tussock®)
Rate: 100 to 300 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray control. Apply to actively growing and stress free plants. Apply once per year. See label for further critical use comments.
Withholding period: Spot spray: Do NOT graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. Blanket spray: Do NOT graze, or cut for stock feed for at least 4 months. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days.
Herbicide group: J, Inhibitors of fat synthesis (Not ACCase inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Flupropanate 86.9 g/kg (GP Flupropanate)
Rate: 22.5 kg/ ha
Comments: Apply February to December inclusive. Apply to actively growing and stress free plants. Graze to reduce cover of desirable species before application.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock feed areas which have received any treatment other than spot treatment for at least 4 months. Spot treatment: Do not graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days. This requirement applies permanently to treated areas.
Herbicide group: J, Inhibitors of fat synthesis (Not ACCase inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Flupropanate 86.9 g/kg (GP Flupropanate)
Rate: 2.25 g/ square metre
Comments: Spot application: apply year round. Apply to actively growing and stress free plants. Graze to reduce cover of desirable species before application.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock feed areas which have received any treatment other than spot treatment for at least 4 months. Spot treatment: Do not graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days. This requirement applies permanently to treated areas.
Herbicide group: J, Inhibitors of fat synthesis (Not ACCase inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Riverina Eradication zone: whole region except for the containment zone of Wagga Wagga City Council	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. Your local biosecurity weeds officer can help to identify, advise on control, and how to remove this weed.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.

Reviewed 2023