Gamba grass

Scientific name: Andropogon gayanus
Declaration status: class A except in areas where it's classified as class B

Gamba grass is a Weed of National Significance. For more information on weeds in Australia, go to the Weeds Australia website.

Impact

Gamba is a highly invasive weed that creates high fuel loads.

It can cause uncontrollable, hot and intense fires that affect people, properties and communities.

Gamba grass fires burn hotter than native grass fires and can destroy:

  • vegetation
  • large trees
  • animal shelters.

Read about gamba's origin, habitat and distribution.

Identification

Use the below characteristics as a guide to help you identify gamba grass. There may be other plants or weeds that look similar.

  • Tussocks can grow to 4m high and up to 70cm in diameter.
  • Stem and branches are robust and covered in dense, soft white hairs.
  • Leaves:
    • are broad and can grow up to 1m
    • have a distinctive white midrib and fine soft hairs
    • stay green after native annual grasses have died off.
  • Seed heads:
    • are v-shaped and fluffy
    • develop above the leaves on thick stems.

Gamba grass - habitGamba grass - leavesGamba grass - seed heads
Gamba grass - seedsGamba grass - spreadGamba grass - stems and branches

View a 3D interactive model of this weed below.

© Regional NSW through NSW DPI Invasive Species Biosecurity
Model created by Rachel Klyve

To find out more, read the:

Similar looking plants

While you must control gamba grass on your property, you should also avoid accidentally removing certain beneficial native grasses.

These native grasses will compete with the invasive weeds and help the native bush to regenerate.

The below plant species look similar to gamba grass.

Itch grass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) is a native perennial grass.

It also has a distinctive white midrib. However stems and leaves are smooth, flexible and lack furry white hairs.

There is little harm in confusing the 2 grasses and many people choose to control itch grass as well.

Itch grass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis)

Giant spear grass (Heteropogon triticeus) is a native perennial grass.

It grows up to 1.8m tall with smooth stems and hairless nodes.

Giant spear grass (Heteropogon triticeus)

Northern cane grass (Mnesithea rottboellioides) is a native perennial grass.

It grows up to 2.5m tall with smooth, hairless, branching stems and sharp spiky rhizomes.

Northern cane grass (Mnesithea rottboellioides)

Report problem gamba

If you find unmanaged gamba grass, you can report a concern.

Land managers can report gamba grass presence, absence and how it's controlled through the NT WeedMate App.

If you're in a class A zone, you have to report gamba grass presence and absence as part of the mapping and monitoring program. Read more about the program on plans and strategies.

Prevent and control

Everyone is responsible for gamba prevention. Learn about gamba spread prevention.

Find out how to control gamba grass including:

  • types of control methods
  • videos on mixing and spraying herbicide.

Where to get help

You can access free herbicide, equipment loans and advice through the gamba action program.

Read more about the program and find out how to get free herbicide and loan spray equipment.

Plans and strategies

To find out how gamba is being managed and reported on, read the plans and strategies.

You can also read about gamba grass plans, research and resources on the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact the Weed Management Branch.

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