Good spotting prevents further black grass spread. If you think you have found black-grass – do not disturb the seed head (if present), take a photo with your phone and call the Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 to report your find.
The keen-eyed owner of a property where black-grass was detected in August 2020 has just spotted flowering black-grass on his property. The plants do not appear to have dropped any seed. MPI is working to confirm the find and remove any further black-grass plants detected.
This find is a month earlier than black-grass in flower has been found during the lifetime of this response. This could be because of the wetter than average spring and summer Canterbury is currently experiencing. The find is a timely reminder to check your property, or ask your stakeholders to check for black-grass. An information sheet is available on our website here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/3614-Have-you-seen-this-pest-plant-Black-grass-Alopecurus-myosuroides