Another African feather grass has been found in North Otago. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The pest plant African feather grass has been spotted again in North Otago, this time in the Ngapara area. An incursion was discovered in the Waianakarua area earlier this year and the pest plant has now been spotted for a second time, the Otago Regional Council said in a statement. Council biosecurity staff visited the site and a sample was collected for formal identification. Bioeconomy Science Institute staff confirmed the species was African feather grass. After talking to the landowners, staff will make a plan for next steps. “Again, we want to thank the landowners for their amazing response,” councillor Andrew Noone said. “It turns out the landowners saw a fact sheet with African feather grass on it at the Oamaru session of our regional pest management plan review drop-ins and identified it there.” A wider survey of the surrounding properties will be undertaken by the council to determine if more plants are in the area. Once the full extent of the issue is known, an incursion response plan will be developed. African feather grass produces large amounts of seeds carried by wind and water or caught in animal hair and clothing due to their barbed bristles. It also spreads through rhizomes (an underground fleshy stem) moved by machinery, cultivation or dumped plant material and soil. The plant can spread quickly, crowding out other low-growing species. It can also impact agriculture production. A tussocky grass, it forms thick clumps up to 2m high. Should anyone see what they believed was African feather grass, they should not attempt to undertake control of it, the council said. Any find should be reported through the council’s website or by contacting 0800 474 082. — Allied Media
