This is yet another introduced pasture grass gone feral with the potential to become a considerable pest unless it is managed before it gets further out of control.

Humidicola stays green most of the year and when it burns it produces very dense smoke that reduces visibility to almost zero. In these conditions fire fighters wind up their vehicle windows, turn on the airconditioner and sit it out until the smoke clears. Humidicola has a thick root mass to feed underground fires that can burn for days until they break through the surface, producing new runaway wildfires.

The ground can become so hot that it sterilises the soil, destroying other plants and seeds.

Unfortunately, we have a long history in this country of ignoring problem plants until they get completely out of control, requiring massive management efforts when the community and authorities finally wake up and decide to do something. Humidicola is noticeable along many roads in the Darwin rural area and is still at the stage where it can be controlled. However, it spreads rapidly and because of the early rains it is seeding already (December 2010).

On Wednesday 2nd June 2010 there was a multiple vehicle pile-up at Noonamah in humidicola smoke. Territorians are notorious for not slowing down and not turning on headlights in poor visibility conditions, be it rain or bushfire smoke. When fire fighters are put on traffic control duties it is not uncommon for motorists to "give the finger" and accelerate through the smoke. Combine these driving habits with the dense smoke given off by humidicola and the likelihood of another multiple vehicle pile-up is a distinct possibility if nothing is done to control this grass NOW.

Left: Humidicola invading the native bush

Right: Humidicola hay paddock

Close up photos of humidicola.

These were taken on the road verge Kentish Road, Berry Springs.

Humidicola is also known as Tully grass.