INVASIVE Species Officer Jenny Conolly is urging Canberrans to be on the lookout for Mexican Feather Grass plants, a prohibited import and noxious weed.

“The noxious weed is a densely tufted perennial grass, almost identical to serrated tussock grass but produces more seed and has the potential to invade both natural areas and agricultural land in the ACT,” Jenny said.

“The pest plant also spreads rapidly and smothers desirable plants.

“Officers will be working tomorrow to remove Mexican Feather Grass from a site in Fraser.

“If residents have tussocky grass in gardens that has a feathery or flowing hair-like appearance to the seed heads with fine narrow leaves, it may be Mexican Feather Grass.

“The weed was mistakenly sold in the past by some private nursery outlets in the ACT as Stipa capillata, Stipa lessingiana or Stipa capriccio and are commonly called Angel Hair Grass, Angel’s Hair, or Pony Tails.

“Weeds can cause significant damage to the local environment by competing with native plants and grasses and reducing productivity on rural land. They also reduce visual amenity on our landscape.”

To report a sighting of Mexican Feather Grass in the ACT please email InvasiveWeeds@act.gov.au, along with a photo and detailed location, or contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81. If a plant is found to be Mexican Feather Grass, officers will control it at no cost to the resident. For more information visit www.tams.act.gov.au .