The hunt is still on for missing Mexican feather grass plants

Published Friday, 20 February, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin

The Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin is appealing to residents in the greater Brisbane area to remain on the lookout for the potentially damaging Mexican feather grass plants.

Mr Mulherin said continued community support was vital in tracking down the remainder of the plants that were sold throughout Queensland last year.

He said community support and the work by Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) officers had been very good to date, but there was still work to be done to find the last of the plants.

“Thanks to the great effort of DPI&F Biosecurity officers and local residents we have managed to locate and destroy many of the plants, but we need to find those which remain unaccounted for,” Mr Mulherin said.

“At Ipswich, six plants were sold and we are still looking for one plant in the area.

“At Rochedale, the number of plants that were distributed originally was two and we are still looking for one plant in the area.

“Kenmore in Brisbane’s west is a high priority for Biosecurity officers. We know there were 12 plants distributed in the area and we are yet to locate any of these.

“Aspley has been a great success so far with only seven of the 48 plants originally distributed in the area unaccounted for.

“Mexican feather grass was discovered in Brisbane late last year. We believe that a number of the plants were brought in from Victoria and unknowingly sold as Stipa capriccio – a similar looking plant,” Mr Mulherin said.

“Mexican feather grass has the potential to cause severe environmental damage to native grasslands.

“It is a low fibrous grass which has no grazing potential and would make pasture lands virtually worthless.

“The plant is mainly bought as a grass feature plant and I’m asking landscapers and gardeners to check if they have in fact purchased Mexican feather grass.

“Mexican feather grass is a wiry green tussock grass up to 70cm in height with pale coloured feather seed heads that are visible during flowering period–September to November.

“It is important that if you do think you have found a Mexican feather grass plant not to remove it – please contact DPI&F immediately on 13 25 23 and advise us of the location.
“Initial research indicates that one plant can produce thousands of seeds which can penetrate clothing and hang on making it easy for animals and people to pick it up and carry it further.

“Our Biosecurity officers have special procedures in place to make sure this doesn’t happen so it is best to leave it up to the experts.

“We need to make sure we locate and destroy the remaining plants before the weed has a chance to establish itself,” Mr Mulherin said.

For more information and photographs of Mexican feather grass, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F on 13 25 23.


Media enquiries: Matt Watson 3239 3120
Media enquiries: DPI&F Jacinda Chisholm (07) 3239 3725