The invasive Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana) from South America, although a ‘Weed of National Significance’ and commonly found along the east coast of Australia, is currently rarely found in the Hunter Valley and is isolated to a few small sections in the Upper Hunter. Let’s keep it out!
Image: Plants with pale brown seeds and long awns (source: NSW DPI). Photographer: John Hosking, NSW DPIRD.
It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. In the agricultural sector, Chilean Needle Grass is highly invasive and known to degrade pastures and harm livestock with its sharp needle-like seeds. It’s also the last thing you want in your socks! It also invades native bushland and grasslands, rivers and creeks.
It’s rapidly finding its way into the Hunter through the transport of stock feed from infected areas, which is why it is turning up on farms. Although it’s hard to identify before it flowers, its distinctive flower and seed heads make it easy to recognise when in flower and seed, which is now!
Image: Seeds have purple glumes and long, bent awns (source: NSW DPI). Photographer: John Hosking, NSW DPIRD.
Key ID characteristics – grass seeds have purple glumes and long, bent wiry awns that are 60-90 mm long; large seeds up to 10 mm long; a large tussock up to 1-1.5 m tall with rough leaf edges; it produces many flowering heads, mostly exerted above the leaves.
Image: Flowering is usually November to February (source: NSW DPI). Photographer: Donna Smithyman, NSW DPIRD.
If you see or think you have Chilean Needle Grass on your site, take a photo and send it to Hunter Region Landcare Network or Hunter Local Land Services.
For more information and ID visit: https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/chileanneedlegrass