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Nassella Grasses

Nassella Grasses
Invasive Plant
Nassella Grasses
Nassella species
 

Many of these grasses look native and are often sold as native Stipa species. Beware when buying any grasses and check that they are what the label says. Many have become invasive, particularly Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma) and Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima). Serrated Tussock is a Weed of National Significance and its entry into Australia is prohibited.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Invades pastures, native grasslands and woodlands
  • Seeds spread by wind up to 16km
  • Seeds spread by animals, hay, machinery and on clothing
  • Sometimes dug up and planted in gardens
  • Unpalatable to stock
  • Tolerates poor soil, fire, drought and frost
 

Don't be confused.
Visit www.ozbreed.com.au for more information.

 
 
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Alternative Plants

Common Tussock Grass
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Common Tussock Grass
Poa labillardieri
Grasses
 

Forms a densely-tufted tussock about 1m tall with seed heads up to 1.2m high. Leaves vary from green, grey-green to blue-green. Flowers Oct-Feb and grows in moist to slightly dry soils. Grows quickly. Widely available in nurseries.

Note: There are other species of Poa available from indigenous nurseries.

Native Pennisetum or Swamp Foxtail
Alternative Plant Native Pennisetum or Swamp Foxtail
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Grasses
 

An environmentally friendly Australian native. Excellent for attracting native birds. With a low viability of seed, this form is noninvasive to native bushland. It is a showy, clumping perennial grass with arching leaves and spectacular feathery flower plumes from Summer to Autumn. The feature of this variety is its elegant purple flower heads.

Mass plant as an accent plant for rockeries and borders and low maintenance gardens. The plumes suitable for dried arrangements.

Tolerates a wide variety of soils and climatic conditions, including poorly drained soils. Frost and drought tolerant.

Purple Fountain Grass
Photo: Colourwise Nursery
Alternative Plant Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum'
Grasses
 

The exceptionally showy and popular, ornamental perennial grass grows in dense clumps of burgundy coloured foliage with arching purple-pink flower plumes in summer. As a striking colour accent in perennial beds, it performs good erosion control on embankments. Blooms prolifically during warm weather, with foxtail-like arching flower plumes displayed above the foliage. This sterile hybrid Grows rapidly to form dense clumps up to 1.5m tall, spreading 1.2m across.

Please note: This is not the plant banned from sale in NSW.

 
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