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Managing our Environment

Nassella tussock

Common name: Nasella tussock

Botanical name: Nassella trichotoma

Management programme: Progressive containment

                

Why is it a pest?

Nassella tussock affects production values by reducing pasture quality and it also affects environmental values by displacing native species in tussock grassland. So far, nassella tussock has only been found in the Roxburgh, Alexandra, Cardrona and Waitaki Valley areas.

               

What does it look like?

Nassella tussock looks other tussock grass. It is a tufted, tussock grass with a swollen stem. Its fine, tightly rolled, light green or yellowish-green leaves feel needle-like and very tough. The plants stand up straight when young but start drooping with age and grow up to 70cm high and 80cm wide. It flowers in October and has a purplish tinge. Each mature plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds each year. Roots are deep, matted and fibre-like. It can be hard to tell the difference between nassella tussock and other tussocks a good way to test the difference is by running your fingers down the leaves; if the texture is rough it’s probably nassella tussock.

Click here to see images

 

                  

    

Progressive containment programme

The progressive containment programme aims to stop a pest from spreading and/or contain it to a certain area.

        

 

 

What are the rules?

Everyone in Otago must eliminate nassella tussock on the land that they occupy.

Please let us know if you’ve spotted nassella tussock by calling ORC on 0800 474 or emailing biosecurity@orc.govt.nz.                 

 

How can I control it?

For low numbers the best control method is to grub the plant out, removing soil from the roots and leaving the plant to rot down. You can spray thicker infestations; get in touch with our biosecurity team at biosecurity@orc.govt.nz for advice on this.

            

Images

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

            

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

            

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

               

Definitions

Eliminate – The permanent prevention of the plant’s ability to set viable seed.

Land occupier – An occupier is the person who physically occupies the place, the owner of the place and any agent, employee, or other person acting or apparently acting in the general management or control of the place. For example if you are renting a house owned by someone else that does not live on that property, you are the occupier and are responsible for pest management under the pest plan. You can see more about the responsibilities of occupiers (including owners) in section 3.3.1 of the pest plan.

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