Mossman River grass (Cenchrus echinatus)
Mossman river grass is an annual grass growing to 90cm tall. It produces burrs that reduce the value of wool and hides and make shearing hazardous.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Burrs reduce the value of wool and make shearing hazardous. Spines of burrs also penetrate hides lowering their value. Mossman river grass competes for moisture, nutrients and light. Burrs are also a problem in recreation areas.
What does it look like?
Mossman River grass is a tufted annual grass up to 90 cm tall, though usually 25- 60 cm.
Leaves are up to 12 mm wide and are often tinged red or purplish.
The seed head is cylindrical with loosely packed burrs. Burrs are red or purplish-green when young and brown or straw coloured when mature. They have many spiny bracts and hairy bristles.
Where is it found?
Mossman river grass is native to Central America and southern North America. It prefers sandy soils especially along the coast; provides good grazing when young, but is a major weed if allowed to mature.
How does it spread?
Burrs can float and are spread by flowing water. The also spread by attaching to wool or fur on animals and clothing. Seeds germinate spring and summer in temperate zones.
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
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: 3 L per ha
Comments: Selective broadacre control
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: 15 (previously group J), Inhibition of very long chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFA inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 300 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
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: 15 (previously group J), Inhibition of very long chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFA inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 500 mL in 10 L of water
Comments: Wiper application
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: 15 (previously group J), Inhibition of very long chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFA inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 6 L per ha
Comments: Non-selective broadacre control
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 L in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 3.3 L in 10 L of water
Comments: Wiper application
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
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. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2018
