Stipoid Weeds
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> About Stipoid weeds
> See also Asparagus weeds
Stipoid Grass Weeds Working Group
In line with the National Chilean Needle Grass Strategy, the Stipoid Grass Weeds Working Group (SGWWG) was formed in 2001 and is continuing to work towards control of Stipoid weeds within the Board's area by:
- raising awareness of the problem (including identification, impacts and control);
- determining the current limits of infestations, and
- identifying areas at risk in the future; identifying appropriate control options, and prioritising, implementing and evaluating control efforts;
- publicising information on the current distribution, potential distribution, and control trials. Infestation locations of the project area in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula and greater Adelaide region.
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Infestation locations of the project area in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula and greater Adelaide region.
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Attendance at regular working group meetings has been integral in keeping the working group informed as to progress, future work plans and to discuss any issues that may have arisen.
Considerable achievements have been made by the Working Group in the fight to contain, control and eradicate Stipoid weeds in the Board's Region. The Group looks forward to working closely with community groups, landholders and individuals in 2008 and beyond.
For further information about Stipoid weeds or if you have a needle grass problem on your property or conservation area contact:
Andrew Raymond
Sustainable Landscapes Officer
Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board
PO Box 781 Willunga SA 5172
Ph: 8550 3405 Fax: 8550 3401 Mobile: 0429 670 074
Email: andrew.raymond@adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au
About Stipoid Weeds -
(Chilean Needle Grass and Texas Needle Grass are species of Stipoid Weeds)
Weeds cost Australia from $3.5-$4.5 billion annually based on present day figures and $2.4 billion of this loss comes from livestock industries. (Vic Dept of Primary Industries, 2006) The exotic stipoid grasses such as Chilean needle grass and Texas needle grass pose some of the most significant threats.
Chilean needle grass is one of twenty Weeds of National Significance. It has been described as being potentially the worst environmental weed of native grasslands in southeastern Australia, which are amongst the most threatened ecosystems in Australia. Chilean needle grass and Texas needle grass are also a serious threat to pasture areas within Australia.
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Needle grass seed heads
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Tussock of needle grass
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Due to their potential impact, both Chilean and Texas needle grasses are declared plants under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 which means landholders are obliged to control these plants on their property.
Chilean and Texas needle grasses are perennial tussock grasses that are indigenous to South and North America. Needle grasses are difficult to distinguish easily from each other and from Australian Spear Grasses (Austrostipa [Stipa] spp.).
Reliable identification involves examining the seed.
The best time to identify these two grasses in South Australia is in mid to late spring while flowering and setting seeds, but before summer when the ripe needle-like seeds fall to the ground. This limits the time frame available to accurately identify needle grass, and therefore, to undertake control methods. Few chemical herbicides are suitable or permitted for needle grass control in SA (see PER 7823 - download Pdf 21Kb).
Download chemical herbicide spray rates (pdf 48kb)
An integrated weed control program is essential for successful long-term control. Property owners can obtain assistance in developing a control program by contacting Andrew Raymond (andrew.raymond@adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au)
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Cleistogenes
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Needle grasses produce two types of seeds, panicle (normal) seeds and cleistogene (stem and base) seeds. Cleistogene seeds form at the nodes of flowering stems and at the base of the tussock enabling reproduction even if flowering has been prevented (e.g. by slashing or fire).
Needle grasses exhibit a rapid growth rate. Chilean needle grass has been shown to be able to tolerate drought and heavy grazing due to the unpalatability of the flower stalks in summer. Both Chilean and Texas needle grasses contain large seed banks and the seeds remain viable for many years.
In native grassland communities these grasses have the ability to invade native vegetation, aggressively out-competing and replacing native grasses and wildflowers. In agricultural regions needle grasses reduce pasture production and stock carrying capacity. Their long, sharp seeds can cause injury to eyes and contaminate the fleece of livestock.