10-10-2022
Upper Lachlan Shire Council Biosecurity Officers are bringing to attention the highly invasive local priority plant, Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma).
Serrated Tussock is a priority weed within the Upper Lachlan Shire. Serrated Tussock can take over pastures and disturbed areas. It degrades pastures as it is not very nutritious for livestock.
Biosecurity are warning that with the wet conditions experienced throughout the shire, that if Upper Lachlan experiences a dry summer there is the possibility of serrated tussock going to seed heavily and out-competing crops and pastures. Animals forced to graze serrated tussock can become malnourished and may die with a stomach full of partly digested serrated tussock.
Director of Environment and Planning, Alex Waldron said that Serrated Tussock is often confused with a similar-looking grass species, Poa tussock.
“It is important that landholders work together with Council to correctly identify priority weeds,” she said.
“Again, this serves as a reminder to everyone that Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, all landholders have a General Biosecurity Duty to ensure all biosecurity risks, including weeds, are minimised, prevented or eliminated.”
Serrated Tussock is a perennial grass that grows in upright tussocks up to 45 cm tall and 25 cm wide. The colour of the plant changes over seasons. During spring, the clumps are light green with brown tips on the leaves.
During late spring and early summer, the clumps have a purple tinge when the seed heads are fully emerged.
During summer, plants are green when other grasses turn brown.
During winter when frosted, the plants turn a golden yellow.
Multiple seed heads are produced and can be present from September to March. Each seed head has multiple branches with a single seed at the end of each branch and is up to 35 cm long and they tend to “weep” over the plant.
“Serrated tussock is highly invasive when left untreated,” Ms Waldron said.
“A single plant can produce up to 140,000 seeds each season and can quickly take over an area. Serrated tussock is hard to get rid of once established due to the cost of and herbicides and ongoing follow up control procedures. Serrated tussock, when identified early, is more easily controlled we would encourage anyone with questions on identification to reach out to our biosecurity staff.
If you or anyone you know have concerns regarding Serrated Tussock or concerns regarding correct identification as well as other priority weeds, please contact Council Administration Staff on (02) 4830 1000.