Nassella trichotoma
Synonyms: Stipa trichotoma, Piptochaetium trichotomum (Nees) Griseb.
Common names: serrated tussock, serrated tussock grass, Yass tussock, Yass River tussock
Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is a globally invasive perennial grass native to South America, where it occurs in warm temperate grasslands. It is a major pasture weed in Australia and South Africa, where it is widespread and invades agricultural areas, grasslands, and some woodlands. In the US, serrated tussock was likely introduced accidentally and is on the USDA invasive weed list. It occurs in Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas but has not yet been detected in California. Plants form dense tussocks that are up to 50 cm tall and 25 cm across at the base. Inflorescences are loose panicles; seeds are egg-shaped, pale brown, and have long, needle-like awns. Serrated tussock reproduces and mainly grows from seed, and one plant may produce over 100,000 (up to 140,000) seeds that can be distributed by animals, wind, or water. It is a poor unpalatable pasture grass that reduces forage value of grazed areas. Cultivars are propagated and sold as ornamentals.
Cal-IPC Rating: Watch
CDFA Rating: None?
Assessment(s)
Plant Risk Assessment
Weed Management Notes
No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles
There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.
Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations
Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.
There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.
Other Nassella trichotoma Information
- GBIF - Global distribution information.
- USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
