Mulherin: Be on the lookout for ’time bomb’ weed

Queensland gardeners, landscapers and horticulturists are being called on to help find the devastating pest weed Mexican feather grass which has recently invaded Queensland.

Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said: "An off duty Biosecurity Queensland Officer discovered the exotic weed in landscaping on a Brisbane street just over a fortnight ago.

"Since then Biosecurity Queensland has been working hard with the nursery industry to track down other plants.

"This highly dangerous weed has the potential to cost Australian agriculture and the environment many millions of dollars if not stopped in its tracks now.

"Mexican feather grass is a low protein fibrous grass which has no grazing value and would make pasture lands virtually worthless.

"Biosecurity Queensland's investigations have discovered Queensland landscapers and retail nursery outlets have innocently purchased the Mexican feather grass plant for use in landscaping or sale to the general public.

"The weed plants were mistakenly labelled as Stipa capillata and Stipa capriccio by an interstate supplier who sold the stocks to a Queensland production nursery - who then sold the plants to retail outlets.

“The plants have gone to locations throughout Queensland including Algester, Aspley, Kenmore, Springfield, Redlands, Noosaville, Kawana, Sippy Downs, Gympie, Biloela, Emerald, Goondiwindi, Kingaroy, Longreach, Mackay, Monto, Pialba, Surat, Urangan, Warana, and Yeppoon.

"Gardeners who have recently bought plants as grass feature plants need to check if they have in fact, purchased Mexican feather grass," Mr Mulherin said.

Biosecurity Queensland General Manager, Dr Bruce Wilson said Biosecurity Officers had tracked the weed to a range of locations across Queensland but now was the time for the public to help.

"We need help from the general public to report any suspicious looking plants so we can trace and eradicate all existing specimens before the weed has a chance to establish in Queensland," he said.

“Photographs of Mexican feather grass can be found on the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au.

"If you think you have spotted Mexican feather grass, do not move it or dump it. Please contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23."

John McDonald from Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland said the Mexican feather grass is a wiry green tussock grass up to 70cm in height with pale coloured feathery seed heads.

"This is a very unfortunate event and I strongly urge industry representatives and the general public to assist in the recovery of the mislabelled plants," Mr McDonald said.

"Mexican feather grass is a Class 1 declared weed under the Land Protection Regulation 2003. It is an offence to introduce, sell, or keep this weed without a permit," Dr Wilson said.

"If Mexican feather grass replaces other grasses on a large scale, the impact on the Queensland environment, lifestyle and economy could be significant."

For further information and photographs of Mexican feather grass, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

Minister's Media: Mark Symons 32396530

DPI&F Media contact: Caroline Dalton 322 48837