The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is calling on gardeners, producers and the general public to look out for Mexican Feathergrass, a highly invasive plant pest.
Released by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, David Basham, the call follows the detection of the plant pest at a residential property in Myrtle Bank, Adelaide recently.
Mr Basham said the detection of Mexican Feathergrass (pictured) was the result of diligent reporting from members of the public.
The Minister said, with the cooperation of the plant owner, the area was inspected and the pest removed.
“Mexican Feathergrass is a category 1 declared plant under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and property owners must report any sighting of the pest plant to their local Landscape Board,” Mr Basham said.
“With each plant potentially producing 70,000 to 100,000 seeds per year, which can be dispersed by wind, rain and animals, Mexican Feathergrass presents a significant threat to South Australia’s landscape.”
He said the plant’s seedheads were prone to stick into the nose, lips and eyes of grazing livestock and, if eaten, could form into indigestible balls in the pit of the stomachs of cattle, sheep and goats.
Mr Basham said Mexican Feathergrass, a perennial, densely tufted tussock grass with flowering stems up to 70 cm high, was accidently introduced to Australia when it was mis-labelled and sold as an ornamental plant, before being recalled.
“Due to the Australian climate and landscape, it has the potential to spread to more than two-thirds of the continent and in 2008 a national recall of all plants was undertaken with the aim of removing all trade and plantings of it,” Mr Basham said.
Further information on Mexican Feathergrass can be accessed at this PS News link.
