Title: Nassella hyalina (Nees) Barkworth

Scientific Name:

Nassella hyalina (Nees) Barkworth

Common Name:

cane needle grass, spear grass



Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: It is found in variable situations on fertile soils (Walsh 1998). Cane needle grass invades lowland grassland and grassy woodland (Carr et al. 1992). It has also been observed growing in areas subject to seasonal waterlogging and riparian vegetation (Walsh 1998).

Distribution:



Original source via GBIF


Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT


1. Germination requirements? "Most vegetative growth and seed germination occur from autumn to winter, although some germination may occur year round under suitable conditions." Requires normal season disturbance such as autumn rains. CRC (2003).

2. Establishment requirements? "It occurs predominantly on fertile soils in variable situations and is also found in woodlands." While more commonly occurring in grassland, it can also establish with some degree of cover as it is found in woodlands. McLaren et al. (1998).

3. How much disturbance is required? In Victoria, it has been observed in both grasslands and riparian situations. Assume it can establish in areas subjected to some disturbance. "Stipoid grasses (such as the Nassella species) generally invade sites that are already highly degraded with a history of disturbance" McLaren et al. (1998) CRC (2003).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE


4. Life form? Perennial grass. Harden (1993).

5. Allelopathic properties? None described. Other species in the Nassella taxa are not known to have allelopathic properties.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? In pastures of low quality, N. hyalina is consumed. The plant produces 'hidden' seeds (i.e. normal awned seeds, not cleistogenes) in the flowering stems. These seeds are released after seed drop and, "…enable the plant to reproduce despite grazing, slashing and fire". Likely to withstand grazing: it is not preferred when other more palatable species are available. McLaren et al. (1998) CRC (2003).

7. Normal growth rate? Documented as a minor weed of neglected and urban land. Possibly growth rate less than other weedy Nassella spp. AWC (n.d.).

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? "It appears to be spreading, especially in wetter areas within open native grasslands." Appears to withstand seasonal inundation. Tolerance to other stresses unknown. CRC (2003).

REPRODUCTION


9. Reproductive system? Sexual (cross and self-pollination) Gardener & Sindel (1998).

10. Number of propagules produced? Unknown.

11. Propagule longevity? Unknown.

12. Reproductive period? Unknown. A perennial grass: likely to produce propagules for at least 2 years.

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Winter growing perennial grass. Flowers and produces seed in spring and summer. Reaches maturity in less than one year. CRC (2003).

DISPERSAL


14. Number of mechanisms? Seed dispersed by attaching to animals, clothing and machinery. Gardener & Sindel (1998).

15. How far do they disperse? Most dispersal is likely to occur due to animals: dispersal mostly 20 – 200 metres. Gardener & Sindel (1998).


Impact Assessment

RECREATION


1. Restrict human access? Tufted or clumping perennial grass to 0.8 m high. Would not restrict human access. Harden (1993).

2. Reduce tourism? "Cane needle grass is hard to identify because of its similarity to native spear grasses." Unlikely that the average visitor would notice this grass as being a weed. CRC (2003).

3. Injurious to people? As a generalisation, it is considered that the sharp seeds of Nassella sp. penetrate and damage sheep skins andcarcases. However, such potential to injure humans very limited. Little to no effect. CRC (2003).

4. Damage to cultural sites? Occurs mostly in grassland, grassy woodland and riparian areas as part of a mixed vegetation community. Unlikely to be noticeable in such situations. No structural impact. "A minor weed of neglected and urban land." McLaren et al. (1998) AWC (n.d.).

ABIOTIC


5. Impact flow? Terrestrial sp. In its native range in the Pampas of Argentina cane needle grass occurs in areas subject to regular flooding. However, it is assumed that the grass does not survive in permanent water. Coughenour & Ellis (1993).

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial sp. See comment above.

7. Increase soil erosion? "A minor weed of neglected and urban land." Generally, Nassella spp. are known to invade disturbed and degraded sites. As aerial growth dies off after flowering, areas of exposed soil would be subject to erosion. However, in sites that are already disturbed or degraded, the potential for erosion would not change significantly. Minimal impact. AWC (n.d.).

8. Reduce biomass? "A minor weed of neglected and urban land." Nassella spp. are known to invade disturbed and degraded sites, i.e., where little other vegetation exists. In contrast to the related N. trichotoma, N. neesiana and N. charruana, cane needle grass is not documented to establish, "…dense competitive infestations". Minimal change to biomass AWC (n.d.) McLaren et al. (1998).

9. Change fire regime? Unlike serrated tussock, which is known to produce dense tussocks, little information is documented about the fuel load provided by cane needle grass. See also comment in 8 above regarding density of infestations. Little or no change to fire frequency or intensity. McLaren et al. (1998).

COMMUNITY HABITAT


10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Grassy Woodland (E); CMA=Corangamite; Bioreg=Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. The literature suggests that cane needle grass is not as competitive as the related Chilean needle grass or serrated tussock. Where it occurs north west of Melbourne it forms part of a mixed vegetation community. However, its presence will displace other more desirable native grass species. "Stipoid grasses generally invade plant communities which are already highly degraded,…and evidence suggests that there is a drop in biodiversity in stipoid grass-dominated grasslands." Minor displacement of some dominant spp. McLaren et al. (1998) Gardener & Sindel (1998).

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? It appears unlikely to occur, or have any significant impact, in medium value EVCs across the southern areas of Victoria. (Refer to potential distribution map.)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? It appears unlikely to occur, or have any significant impact, in low value EVCs across the southern areas of Victoria. (Refer to potential distribution map.)

11. Impact on structure? Where it occurs north west of Melbourne it forms part of a mixed vegetation community. However, its presence will displace other more desirable native grass species. Likely to have at least a minor impact on the lower stratum. McLaren et al. (1998).

12. Effect on threatened flora? This species is not documented as posing an additional risk to threatened flora.

FAUNA


13. Effect on threatened fauna? This species is not documented as posing an additional risk to threatened fauna.

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? In Argentina, it is only of intermediate feed value. Where it replaces better quality native grasses, it would reduce the quality of fodder overall. Minor negative affect on food source for fauna. McLaren et al. (1998).

15. Benefits fauna? No known benefits.

16. Injurious to fauna? The sharp seeds of Nassella are considered to damage the skin and carcases of sheep, but effect on fauna is not known. CRC (2003).

PEST ANIMAL


17. Food source to pests? Not documented as a food source to pest animals. Along with other vegetation, rabbits or goats may graze the plant. A grass with intermediate feed value; consider little or no effect.

18. Provides harbor? Slender, tufted grass. Unlikely to provide harbour to pest animals. CRC (2003).

AGRICULTURE


19. Impact yield? "… it is not currently seen as a threat to agriculture." More commonly occurs as an environmental weed. In agricultural situations it is somewhat useful as low quality fodder and does not appear to be strongly competitive. Not likely to affect yield in well-managed pastures. CRC (2003).

20. Impact quality? See comments above.

21. Affect land values? Not known as a weed of agriculture. No effect on land value.

22. Change land use? See comments in 19, 20 and 21 above.

23. Increase harvest costs? Not known in cropping situations. A perennial grass. Does not affect harvesting costs.

24. Disease host/vector? It is not documented as a host or vector of disease.




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Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.






Attachments:
Cane via ala.JPG
Capture.JPG
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Date: 9 November 2009; 1:41:41 PM AEDT

Author Name: Rebecca Grant
Author ID: rgrant