Mission Grass (Pennisetum polystachion)
Seed head
Mission grass is declared a Class B (spread to be controlled) and Class C (not to be introduced to the Northern Territory) weed in accordance with the NT Weeds Management Act 2001.
Mission grass is a tough, perennial grass, native to tropical Africa. It was originally introduced into Australia for testing as a pasture species. Naturalised plants were first noticed in the Darwin area in the early 1970s. Mission grass has since spread throughout the Darwin rural area and along many road networks. It also occurs in Arnhem Land and in the Katherine region.
The light and fluffy seeds produced by mission grass are easily spread by wind, vehicles, machinery and animals. Contaminated hay is also a major source of seed spread.
Mission grass can readily compete with native annual grass species and will rapidly occupy disturbed areas. By remaining green until the late dry season, this grass provides fuel for destructive fires which occur later and are hotter than normal seasonal fires. Burning is known to promote further mission grass establishment.
Mission grass infestation
*Perennial Mission grass (Pennisetum polystachion) can easily be confused with the annual mission grass, Pennisetum pedicellatum.
Annual mission grass is another introduced grass species which impacts on the environment in a similar way to perennial mission grass. Ideally both species should be managed, particularly when identification is an issue.
