Is Mexican feathergrass an invasive weed in Colorado? I recall reading that it is, but cannot locate that information. - Ask Extension
Is Mexican feather grass an invasive species in Colorado? Should it be used for xeriscaping?
Knowledgebase
Is Mexican feathergrass an invasive weed in Colorado? I recall reading that it is, but cannot locate that information. #810026
Asked September 08, 2022, 5:58 PM EDT
Is Mexican feather grass an invasive species in Colorado? Should it be used for xeriscaping?
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello Alesia,
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. Mexican Feather Grass,
Nassella tenuissima is not listed as being invasive in Colorado. There are differences in opinion about whether this plant is native to Colorado. It is ,"Rare on Rocky slopes, perhaps escaped from cultivation, known from Larimer County." ' Flora of Colorado, Jennifer Ackerfield'
It is listed as being native to Texas and New Mexico. It has an altitude limit of 6000 feet and can reseed itself.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/
This grass is grown up at the Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.
https://www.waterwiseplants.org/find-a-plant/mexican-feather-grass/
"Mexican feather grass grows well in low water areas with rock or gravel mulch at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. It can produce a lot of seedlings through self-sowing, but these are easy to remove by hand pulling."
I am sending you our Colorado Noxious Weed list.
https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds/species-id
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. Mexican Feather Grass,
Nassella tenuissima is not listed as being invasive in Colorado. There are differences in opinion about whether this plant is native to Colorado. It is ,"Rare on Rocky slopes, perhaps escaped from cultivation, known from Larimer County." ' Flora of Colorado, Jennifer Ackerfield'
It is listed as being native to Texas and New Mexico. It has an altitude limit of 6000 feet and can reseed itself.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/
This grass is grown up at the Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.
https://www.waterwiseplants.org/find-a-plant/mexican-feather-grass/
"Mexican feather grass grows well in low water areas with rock or gravel mulch at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. It can produce a lot of seedlings through self-sowing, but these are easy to remove by hand pulling."
I am sending you our Colorado Noxious Weed list.
https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds/species-id
Thank you for the information.
Alesia
