African feather grass

Common name:
African feather grass (also known as: veld grass)

Scientific name:
Pennisetum macrourum

Regional classification:
Service delivery - our Council will arrange eradication free of charge

National classification:
National Pest Plant Accord – banned from being sold, propagated or distributed

Description

A perennial, clump-forming grass that grows to two metres, African feathergrass has deep fibrous roots. It forms rhizomes 7mm in diameter, up to 2m long, from which new aerial shoots and roots emerge.

Stems:

erect, round and purplish-white
many fine hairs that break off when touched and can cause skin irritation

Leaves:

light green on top with a dark green, purple edge underside linear
grow to about 60cm in length
strongly ribbed and rough to touch

Flower head:

narrow, cylindrical, spike-like stem
about 30cm long with bristles
contains many seeds
flowers appear from November to April.

Why is it a problem?

Rhizome spread creates dense, spreading masses in almost any well-lit site. It seeds prolifically and thrives in a wide range of soil types. It competes with native species and is highly invasive. It is easily spread by machinery and is a fire hazard.

Please notify the Northland Regional Council of any African Feathergrass infestation.

Your responsibility

Report sites of African feathergrass to the Northland Regional Council. It is illegal to sell, propagate, or distribute any parts of this pest plant in the Northland region.

Recommended control methods

Northland Regional Council will arrange control of any eradication of African Feathergrass on your property, at no cost to you.

More information

For further information or control advice please contact one of our Biosecurity Officers at the Northland Regional Council on 0800 002 004:

Whangarei: Ken Massey
Dargaville: Peter Joynt
Kaitaia: Doug Foster

Environment