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Serrated tussock
Pest alert
If you have seen this plant
Call QPIF 13 25 23
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- Serrated tussock
General information
Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is a Class 1 declared pest plant in Queensland and a Weed of National Significance (WONS). Class 1 pests are subject to eradication from the state. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests. It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Penalties of up to $60,000 apply.
Serrated tussock is native to South America. Although not established in Queensland, it is one of the worst weeds in New South Wales.
Overview
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Scientific name |
Nassella trichotoma |
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Impacts |
- invades pastures and open woodlands
- reduces land productivity
- reduces biodiversity
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Description |
- tussocky grass to 30 cm tall
- thin, tightly rolled, pale, hairless yellow-green leaves with very fine serrations
- white swollen leaf bases
- white hairless ligule (a small flap, about 1 mm long, that protrudes where the leaf separates from the stem)
- purple tinge to young flower heads
- flower heads turn golden as seeds ripen
- weeping flower head breaks off at maturity
- difficult to pull from ground, even when small
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Habitat/distribution/life cycle |
- a long-living perennial
- seeds may live in the soil for more than 10 years but most die rapidly
- germinates mainly in autumn, but may occur at any time of the year
- seedlings are weak and slow-growing
- may be several years old before flowering
- seed sets in summer
- seeds dispersed mostly by wind
- little plant growth in winter
- mostly confined to cooler temperate areas of Australia
- found mainly in the tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and in several locations in Victoria and Tasmania
- distribution appears limited by hot summers
- grows in all soil types but is rarely found in swampy land
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Control |
- prevention best form of control
- treat individual plants and small infestations before they spread
- out-compete the seedlings
- grow dense vegetation to smother young plants
- apply appropriate registered herbicides
- see the serrated tussock managers fact pack for further information on control
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Declaration details |
- a declared Class 1 plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
- importation, possession and sale is prohibited
- landowners are required by law to keep their land free of this plant
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Further information |
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