Local Action on Chilean Needle Grass
Posted on 27 May, 2011 by Connecting Country
Chilean Needle Grass, a ‘Weed of National Significance’, has been observed in a number of locations across Mount Alexander Shire. This noxious weed along with other non-native stipoid grasses is highly invasive and can overtake naive grassy woodlands and agricultural pastures. It builds up a large and persistent seedbank in the soil and rehabilitation of infested land is very difficult. Further information on identification, ecology, spread and eradication methods can be found here.
Chilean Needle Grass. Photo by Karen Stewart
A local taskforce has recently been formed to assist in reducing the impact and preventing the further spread of Chilean Needle Grass. Taskforce meetings have been attended by Matt Sheehan, National Chilean Needle Grass Coordinator, and members of the local community. Minutes of the first two Taskforce meetings can be found here.
A stipoid grass identification workshop will take place later this year and more details will follow about this.
To assist in the control program, it is important to known exactly where the infestations are located. As in the case of Bridal Creeper and Wheel Cactus, it has been decided to make use of the Connecting Country Mapping Program for this purpose. So if you are already confident with identifying Chilean Needle Grass and other non-native stipoid grasses and you would like to help in mapping this noxious weed, you can lodge your observations by clicking here and following the easy to use instructions.
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