Pentaschistus thunbergii
Pussy tails (Pentaschistus thunbergii) are a small (to 30 cm) perennial clumpy grass with cute soft seed heads, rather like a cat's tail. Over time, individual clumps grow in width, gradually covering a larger surface area, thereby excluding native plants.
It can be removed by spot poisoning or hand pulling - a screw driver is useful for levering out clumps, which have a shallow matted root system.
It is native to southern Africa.
Photo David Jones
