Mexican feather grass grows in dense clumps. It invades pastures and bushland.
Mexican feather grass:
It is hard to get rid of and has the potential to take over up to 65% of NSW.
Mexican feather grass grows in upright tussocks up to 70 cm tall. The leaves in the centre of the clump are usually the tallest and upright but may droop over at the top. Leaves at the edge of the clump are often shorter and bend away from the plant.
Mexican feather grass has a small, thin structure at the base of the leaf blade. This is a ligule, and can look like a small piece of tissue paper. The ligule is:
Mexican feather grass looks similar to Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) which has drooping flower heads, rather than erect flower heads. Serrated tussock is also shorter (45 cm), has a wider seed, and a much smaller (25 mm) awn.
Mexican feather grass has been found in gardens:
All of these plants have been controlled.
In 2008 a retailer sold potted plants of Mexican feather grass that were labeled with another name. All plants in NSW were quickly recovered and destroyed. However, some plants in ACT and Victoria had been sold on and planted into gardens.
Mexican feather grass is native to southern USA, Central and South America.
Mexican feather grass:
Mexican feather grass reproduces by seed. From mid spring to summer it germinates on well-drained soils where there is little competition from other vegetation. Seeds can be dispersed by becoming attached to clothing, livestock and vehicles, or from contaminated seed and fodder.
Mexican feather grass was accidentally introduced as a garden plant. It’s been sold through nurseries under the following incorrect names:
Online overseas seed companies have marketed the plant under various names including:
Please do not attempt to treat or dispose of this weed yourself. Report this plant if you see it anywhere in NSW by calling the helpline listed at the top of this page immediately.
NSW DPI will lead an initial response for the treatment and disposal of the plant to stop it from spreading.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 1.5 to 3 L per ha
Comments: Broadacre control. Best results are achieved when applied to actively growing stress free weeds, particularly in warm periods. See permit 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
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 100 to 300 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray control. Best results are achieved when applied to actively growing stress free weeds, particularly in warm periods. See permit 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
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 500 mL per 10 L water
Comments: Wiper suppression. Ensure weeds are at least 15 cm above species to be retained. Apply when weeds are actively growing. See permit for 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
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 3 L per ha
Comments: Broadacre control. Apply to actively growing, stress free plants. Best control occurs when weeds are at the early seed head stage. See permit for critical use comments.
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 actively growing, stress free plants. Best control occurs when weeds are at the early seed head stage. See permit for critical use comments.
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. Ensure weeds are at least 15 cm above species to be retained. Apply when weeds are actively growing. See permit for critical use comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
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 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. |
All of NSW |
Prohibited Matter
A person who deals with prohibited matter or a carrier of prohibited matter is guilty of an offence. A person who becomes aware of or suspects the presence of prohibited matter must immediately notify the Department of Primary Industries |
Reviewed 2021