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Weed Identification
Australia > > Giant Parramatta Grass
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Giant Parramatta Grass
Sporobolus fertilis |
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Family: Poaceae.
Form: Grass
Origin: Native of tropical Asia and Malesia.
Flowers/Seedhead: Seedhead: Flowers spring to autumn.
Description: Tufted perennial with seedhead to 1.6 m high. Leaf blades to 50 cm long.
Distinguishing features: Distinguished by leaf blades to 1.5–5 mm wide; seedhead 25–50 cm long with branches appressed to the axis and overlapping, although lower ones generally spreading at maturity, lowest node of seedhead with 1 main branch; spikelets 1.6–2 mm long with upper glume about a third of spikelet length, lower glume about 50% length of upper glume; grain 0.8–1.0 mm long.
Dispersal: By seed by water, wind and machinery. At maturity seeds become sticky and may attach to hair or fur.
Confused With: Other Sporobolus species, see taxonomic texts for detailed distuishing features. Often confused with Parramatta Grass (Sporobolus africanus, previously known as Sporobolus indicus var. capensis) that is generally shorter (15–90 cm high), lower branches of seedhead close to stem and spikelets 2.1–2.5 mm long.
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Folded leaves & mature spike
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Notes: Summer growing unpalatable tough grass. Widespread and locally common in coastal areas of NSW and Queensland. Weed of low fertility soils. When established will exclude native plants. Recovers rapidly from fire. Major weed of disturbed and pastoral land.
References:Australian Systematic Botany. B. Simon and S. Jacobs. Vol. 12, 1999, pages 375–448. Flora of NSW. G. Harden (ed.), Vol. 4, 1993, page 525–526.
Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.
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Invading pasture
near Bomaderry, NSW |
Seed, glumes (husks) |
Base of plant & seedhead |
