Gamba origin, habitat and distribution

Gamba grass is originally from Africa. It was introduced to the Northern Territory (NT) as a pasture species in the 1930s.

Research and trials resulted in widespread plantings in pastoral and agricultural areas of the Top End.

Read more about its origin on the Australian Government's weeds in Australia website.

Habitat and distribution

It needs at least 600mm of rain each year.

It usually flowers in April and produces seeds from May to August.

If there's an early wet season, it might also produce seeds again in November.

Gamba grass can survive in tough conditions such as drought, fire, and poor-quality soil found in north Australian savannas.

It can grow in most Top End soil types except heavy clays.

Distribution in the NT

Gamba grass has affected approximately 5436km2 of the NT.

This figure has been calculated by intersecting known gamba grass points with a 1km grid.

If the 1km grid has gamba grass, that 1km grid will be considered to have gamba grass cover.

Most infestations are in the gamba grass class B zone, north of Katherine.

To find out more about where gamba grass is spreading, read the annual reports on the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment website.