Mexican Feather Grass

Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) Family Poaceae has the potential to invade pastures and native grasslands in the ACT.  If uncontrolled, it could spread to other states of Australia. Overseas, it is highly invasive and has formed monocultures, smothering desirable species. Importation into Australia is prohibited.

If you have tussocky grass in your garden that was purchased in the last eighteen months, it may be Mexican feather grass. Mexican feather grass is a listed pest plant or noxious weed, and was mistakenly sold by some nursery outlets as Stipa capillata, Stipa lessingiana or Stipa capriccio. 

Mexican Feather Grass Information Sheet ( PDF 1.69MB) 

You can use the above information sheet to assit you to identify the plant, and then Parks, Conservation and Lands (PCL) officers will confirm its identity and control it free of charge for residents of the ACT.  To notify PCL, enter your name, contact number and address/location of the feathergrass in the notification form or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

Some plants look similar to Mexican feather grass, such as Poa Grass, Plume Grass and African Fountain Grass.  

Poa Grass                         Plume Grass