Home / Weeds / Poaceae / Cane Needle Grass

Cane Needle Grass

Nassella hyalina

Also known as Spear Grass, Stipa hyalina

⚠ Declared: act on sight

Status

Prohibited

Growth form

grass

Spread

clothing

Declaration by state+

NSW restricted Regional recommended measure · Multiple regions

SA prohibited Class 1 declared weed · Statewide

TAS prohibited Declared Weed · Statewide

Nassella hyalina

Cane Needle Grass is a perennial, tussock-forming grass from South America that can form dense, competitive infestations and exclude more desirable species. It produces abundant flowering seeds and also hidden stem seeds, allowing reproduction even when the main seed head is destroyed. It occurs in NSW and VIC and has potential to spread more widely in southern Australia. Sharp seeds can injure livestock and contaminate wool and carcasses.

Identify it

Field cues

01Perennial grass forming clumps/tussocks up to about 0.8–1.5m tall
02Long, upright flowering stems that look cane-like
03Open to contracted panicle (flower head) about 15–25cm long with many spikelets
04Seeds with a long, twice-bent awn (twisted tail) projecting from the spikelet
05Leaves narrow (about 1.5–4mm wide), flat or in-rolled, strongly ribbed, with rough (scabrous) margins and a short membranous ligule

Where it's found

Distribution

Recorded occurrences: 44 grid cells shown

Distribution records are indicative. Always confirm current status with your state biosecurity authority. Found in: disturbed areas, pastures, native grasslands, open woodlands, riparian vegetation, weedy areas.

Related & similar species

Same Genus

Manage it

Control Overview

Management is complicated by abundant seed production and hidden stem seeds that can allow reproduction even when seed heads are removed. Dense infestations and a large seedbank can require integrated, sustained control and follow-up to prevent regrowth and new germination. Spread risk is high because sharp seeds readily attach to animals, clothing, machinery, and can also move in wind, water, fodder, soil, and via breakage of stem nodes.

Remove isolated plants early

Dig out individual plants by removing the whole plant when small infestations are found, to support eradication before spread.

Prevent seed movement on gear

Clean clothing, equipment, machinery, and vehicles after working in infested areas to reduce spread of sharp seeds.

Recheck sites for reinfestation

Carry out continuing surveillance of treated and nearby areas to find and control any re-infestations.

Registered herbicide options

Flupropanate Group 15 · 745 g/L

Wiper suppression, see permit for critical use comments. Source ↗

Flupropanate Group 15 · 745 g/L

Broadacre control, see label for critical comments. Source ↗

Flupropanate Group 15 · 745 g/L

Spot spray control, apply to actively growing and stress free plants, apply once per year. Source ↗

Flupropanate Group 15 · 86.9 g/kg

Granular application, apply February to December inclusive to actively growing and stress-free plants. Source ↗

Glyphosate Group 9 · 360 g/L

Broadacre control by boom spray, see permit for critical use comments. Source ↗

Glyphosate Group 9 · 360 g/L

Spot spray, see permit for critical use comments. Source ↗

Glyphosate Group 9 · 360 g/L

Wiper suppression, see permit for critical use comments. Source ↗

Flupropanate Group 15 · 745 g/L

Spot spray application with glyphosate, apply to actively growing plants from spring to autumn, once per year. Source ↗

Glyphosate Group 9 · 360 g/L

Spot spray application with flupropanate, apply to actively growing plants from spring to autumn, once per year. Source ↗

Use chemicals to the label. Always read the current APVMA-approved label before application. Check permit conditions for your state, as some uses are limited to council or government staff. Aquatic situations require products registered for use in or near water.

Why it matters

Impacts

Livestock injury and product contamination

Sharp mature seeds can attach to animals and can penetrate lips, skin and flesh, damaging sheep skins and carcasses and contaminating fleeces, which can downgrade wool or meat value.

Biodiversity impact

Can invade pastures, native grasslands, and open woodlands, forming dense infestations that exclude more desirable species and threaten biodiversity.

Spread to new areas

Seeds readily attach to clothing, animals, machinery and vehicles, and can also spread via wind, water, contaminated fodder and soil; stem node breakage can disperse hidden stem seeds.

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Sources