Weed profile: Giant rat’s tail grass
Giant rat’s tail grass
Giant rat’s tail grass
Sporobolus pyramidalis
Giant rat’s tail grass is a perennial grass growing to 1.7 metres high when seeding. It occurs as a weed in pastures and bushland areas, particularly on poorer soils.
It produces leaf blades that are tough and difficult for cattle to graze, leading to reduced feed intake and reduced animal production. The seed heads are generally a ‘rat’s tail’ like spike when young and may branch to a elongated pyramidal shape when mature.
Giant rat’s tail grass is native to Africa.
Status
- Declared in NSW under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 (view details)