Poaceae

Nassella neesiana

Common Names: Chilean needle grass

Plant Form: Tussock forming erect perennial grass. Size: 30 cm to 1.2 m tall. Stem: Thin, upright. Leaf joint is smooth with tufted hairs either side. Leaves: About 30 cm long, flat and slightly in-rolled. Strongly ribbed on upper surface, sometimes hairy. Flowers: Heads are loosely branched, open and mostly above leaves, 10-40 cm long with 50-200 flowers. Fruit and Seeds: Seeds pointed at base, 6-10 mm long, lumpy and pale brown with purple bracts and long, bent awns 6-9 cm long. Habitat: Pastures, grassy woodlands, roadsides, along creeks and rivers. Distinguishing Features: Can be similar in appearance to native Wallaby grasses (Austrostipa and Rytidosperma species), as well as other Needlegrasses (Nassella species). Seeds have tiny distinctive crown-like structure at base of awn, which is unique. Impacts: Sharp and twisting seeds lodge in skin of humans and animals, decreases grazing productivity, out competes native grasses and herbs, impacts vegetation structure and animal habitat.