What does it look like?
African feather grass is a perennial grass that forms large clumps up to two metres tall. From November to April, it produces long, thin flower heads with distinctive yellow to purple flowers and prominent bristles. When ripe, the spikelets containing the seed fall away, leaving the bare stem. The shape of the flower head distinguishes it from the fluffy flower heads of pampas grass and toe toe. African feather grass has been found in pasture, roadsides, urban areas, wasteland, swamps, and stream banks.
Why is it a problem?
African feather grass can suppress low growing plants and restrict movement of animals, people, and machinery. It impairs drainage along roads, creates a fire hazard, and provides cover for pest species. African feather grass is very persistent (recovers quickly after being damaged), difficult to eradicate and is drought-resistant. The seeds of African feather grass are dispersed by wind, water, and in animal hair or clothing (barbed bristles on the seed husk enable them to become entangled in fibres). Rhizomes are spread by machinery/cultivation or by dumping plant material/soil.
Control methods
Physical control
Dig out small infestations. Burn these infestations or dispose at refuse transfer station.
Herbicide control
Spray (spring-autumn): Glyphosate (15ml/L) + penetrant. Or,
Slash and spray regrowth (spring-autumn) using a product containing 520g/L haloxyfop-P at a knapsack rate of 3ml/L, or 95ml/100L for use with a hose and gun unit. Repeat applications may be needed.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
More information
- The scientific name of this plant has been updated to Cenchrus macrourus.
- African Feather Grass is designated an Eradication Pest in the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Regional Pest Management Plan 2018-2038.
- African Feather Grass is only known to exist in localised areas around Maraekakaho and on the Ngaruroro River berms.
Related links
NPPA and the control of weeds | NZ Government
Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Cenchrus macrourus
Hawkes Bay Regional Pest Management Plan 2018-2038
African feather grass • Weedbusters
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/african-feather-grass/" target="_blank">Weedbuster
Notify Council
If you think you've found this pest, please get in touch with our Biosecurity Team at biosecurity@hbrc.govt.nz or call us on 0800 108 838.
Management Programme
Eradication Programme
An Eradication Programme attempts to reduce a pest's level of infestation to zero, across an infestation zone, over a specified time frame. To be successful; the rate of removal must exceed the rate of increase of the pest, reinvasion from other areas must be prevented, and all potentially reproductive individuals must be targeted. For these reasons, eradication programmes require robust design, efficient implementation, sufficient money, and trained field staff to be successful.
More informationUnwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
More informationRules
Sections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act (1993)
No person shall knowingly communicate, cause to be communicated, release, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread any pest or unwanted organism, in accordance with Sections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
More informationTaxonomies
FamilyPoaceae
TypePlants
GroupGrass
HabitatLand
Management ProgrammeEradication ProgrammeUnwanted Organism
