The Environment

Canterbury weed guide

Introduction | Plant pictures | Plant names | Plant status | References | Weed of the month

African feather grass

Pennisetum macrourum, Gramineae

Identification

• Forms dense, fine-leaved tussocks, up to 2 m tall (like a small toetoe plant).
• The leaf sheath (below where the leaf joins onto the main stem of the plant) is covered in hairs.
• Flowers are clustered into a long spike.
• Leaf edges are rough, with cutting edges.

Status

African feather grass is a progressive control plant pest in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Control

If possible, dig the entire plant out. Otherwise apply a grass-specific herbicide. Follow up control will probably be required.

Useful links

Weed of the month

African feather grass plants. African feather grass seeds.

African feather grass leaf seath.