Weeds - Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

Nassella neesiana
Restricted Weed
Chilean Needle Grass
Description: Tussock grass growing to about 1 m tall.
flowers: A loose flowering head to 40 cm long. Appears
between March and August.
leaves: Narrow, hairless or sparsely hairy, flat or slightly
rolled leaves, up to 30 cm long and 5 mm wide.
seed: Raised crown consisting of a sheath with a ridge of
small teeth that encircles the base of the awn (long ‘tail’ of
seeds). The awn is 60-90 mm long and bent at two points.
The seed is 8-10 mm long, pale brown, warty and usually
lacking hairs. The bracts around the seed are purple. Stem
seed is also produced at swelling along the stem. The base
of the leaves conceals the stem seed.
Note: Invades native grasslands and agricultural land.
Is difficult to control selectively. Weed of National
Significance.
similar Native species: Could be confused with a number
of native Spear grasses (Austrostipa spp).
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