Cane Needle Grass
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(Nassella hyalina)
Image: cane needle grass, © D. McLaren, Australian Plant Image Index
What is Cane needle grass?
- Cane needle grass is a serious weed of grasslands, pastures, woodlands and disturbed areas on fertile soils.
- Cane needle grass is a
declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999. The importation, sale and distribution of Cane needle grass are prohibited in Tasmania.
- Cane needle grass is on the National Alert List for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non native plants that threaten biodiversity and cause other environmental damage.
- Cane needle grass is closely related to Serrated tussock, and Chilean needle grass, which are both
Weeds of National Significance (WoNS).

Image: cane needle grass, © D. McLaren, Australian Plant Image Index
How to identify Cane needle grass
- Cane needle grass is a tussock forming perennial grass growing up to 20cm high with tall erect flower stems resembling a cane.
- Cane needle grass has linear leaves that are flat or rolled inwards and are rough to the touch.
- The erect seed head is an open panicle with many flower spikelets, but it also produces hard, nut-like stem seeds (cleistogenes) within the leaf sheath at the stem joints (nodes).The seeds are 4-5 mm long and have a long bristle or awn, which is twisted near the base and twice bent.
- The seeds of cane needle grass are very sharp and clinging and readily attach themselves to clothing, fur and machinery/equipment. The seed can also contaminate wool and injure sheep by imbedding in skin and eyes.
- Seeds can be spread when soil is moved. Cane needle grass seed can also be readily transported in hay.
- Cane needle grass is drought tolerant and forms dense, competitive infestations.
- It has only intermediate feed value to stock which are likely to avoid the plant when more palatable pasture species are present.
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See the
Nassella species identification comparison table below for more information on identification.

Image: seeds caught in clothing, © Catherin Herms, Ohio State University
Cane needle grass in Tasmania
What is the legal status of Cane needle grass in your area?
What you need to do?
See also
Other useful links
Nassella species identification comparison table