Beware of this Grass! Some time ago Coolatai Grass (Hyparrhenia hirta)
was introduced from the Mediterranean region for pasture improvement(?).
Unfortunately the grass has escaped from pastures and is growing alongside
roadsides in many regions of New South Wales as well as Queensland, Northern
territory, South Australia and western Australia. Not only is this grass
infesting roadsides but is now invading bushland. On Yallaroo it is also
colonizing rocky outcrops. Once the grass takes hold the clumps become so
thick that herbaceous plants and small shrubs are swamped. Notice the
distinctive two-pronged raceme. Coolatai Grass has the potential to become a
serious environmental weed. Ironically it seems to have little potential for
grazing. Control is rather difficult. We brush cut areas to reduce seed set
and in some cases we kill this obnoxious invader with herbicide. Apparently
some government instrumentalities are still introducing exotic grasses without
examining their environmental impact.