Chilean needle grass

• This perennial tussock grass grows in dense clumps, either with other grass species or alone.
• Foliage is erect and up to 1m tall.
• Leaves are 1–5mm wide, flat and strongly ribbed on the upper surface.
• Leaf edges are rough to touch.
• Before flowering, the grass is difficult to differentiate from other tussock grasses.
• When flowering, visible flowers develop on long stalks above foliage.
• Flower heads are 60mm long. They have a windblown appearance and a pale-green awn (tail) at the end of the seed.
• New flowers have a dark red colour produced by bracts that encase seeds.
• Awns are curved or bent.
• Seeds have reddish corona between the body and awn.
• Seeds are 8–10mm long and are pale brown when mature.
• Dry flower heads are straw-coloured. They can remain on the plant after seed has dropped.

3D model

• View the 3D model to help you identify this plant. You can magnify the image and manipulate the view to inspect the plant from every angle.

• Found along roadsides and drainage lines and in pastures.

• Visit Weeds Australia and click on the distribution tab to access the distribution map.

• Germination occurs mainly in autumn and spring.
• The grass reproduces from seed.
• In addition to normal seeds, the plant produces hidden seeds in nodes and in the base of flowering stems.
• The grass produces more than 20,000 seeds per square metre.
• Seed banks persist for many years.
• Seedlings have a high survival rate and can flower and produce seeds in their first season.

Environmental

• Reduces natural biodiversity by replacing native species.

Economic

• Heavy infestations displace desirable pasture species.
• Infestation decreases productivity of pastures by up to 50%.
• Long, sharp seeds injure animals. This downgrades lamb and sheep meat, wool, skins and hides.

• Seeds stick to clothing, livestock, vehicles and farm machinery, and are spread as these move.
• Seeds can also be spread via contaminated seeds or fodder, slashers and earthmoving equipment.
• Floodwater can move seeds downstream and over flood plains.
• Seeds have little ability to spread by wind.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Physical control

• Manually remove small infestations before they flower and set seed.

Plant management

• Infestation with this weed is symptomatic of prolonged grazing, which tends to eliminate palatable plant species and allow unpalatable species to multiply without restriction. Follow sustainable land management practices to encourage systems that are naturally more resilient to weed infestation.
• Feed stock in controlled areas to minimise the risk of seed spread and limit the area requiring control.

Herbicide control

• Flupropanate is a residual, non-selective herbicide and little is known of its impact on other grassland and pasture plant species in southern Queensland.
• Perform trials with this herbicide before using it widely, and plan for reseeding or other activities to ensure ground cover is maintained.
• Read the Chilean needle grass fact sheet for herbicide control and application rates.

Biological control

• There are no known biological control agents.

• Chilean needle grass is a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. You must not:
  • give it away
  • sell it
  • release it into the environment

  If you do any of these, penalties may apply.

• You must take all reasonable and practical measures that are under your control to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with gamba grass. This is part of your general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
• Each local government agency must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on Chilean needle grass. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.