Few spikes

179. Broadleaf carpet grass

Axonopus compressus

    

A creeping, perennial grass with prostrate stems that root at every joint. Dense, leafy shoots arise from the nodes and it is from these that the flower stems grow. Leaves are folded at the base becoming flat near the boat-shaped point, are 2 to 12 cm long and up to 1 cm wide. They have fine white hairs along the mar-gins. Flower heads are made up of 3 to 4 narrow spikes, about 6 cm long, which spread out from the top of the stalk. Spikelets are arranged in 2 closely overlapping rows along the spikes.

Broad-leaf Carpet Grass is widespread and common. It is occasionally a weed of cane fields but is often found on head-lands and roadsides. It is used as a lawn grass in central and northern Queensland. Narrow-leaf Carpet Grass (A. affinis) is very similar, except that it has leaves only 0.2 to 0.4 wide.
 

180. Signal grass

Brachiaria decumbens

  

A tufted, perennial grass, growing to 1.5 m and having few branches. Stems are erect, kneed at the base and are smooth and hairless except at the flower head. Leaf sheaths are shorter than the internodes, when mature, and are covered with short hairs. Leaves arise from the base and from the stems and are up to 40 cm long and 1.8 cm wide. They are rounded at the base and taper gradually to the point, and are sparsely covered with hairs on both surfaces. Flower heads have 2 or more spikes, each 4 to 10 cm long, which are carried more or less on one side of the stalk. There are two rows of spikelets on the lower side of each spike.

Signal Grass has become naturalised throughout the eastern districts.

 

181. Humidicola

Brachiaria humidicola

  

A tufted, perennial grass which is generally similar to Signal Grass (B. decumbens) but has very erect stems and leaves. Flower heads are made up of two to several spikes held stiffly out from one side of the stems. The overlapping spikelets are in two rows on the lower side of the spikes.

Humidicola is an introduced pasture grass which has become established as a weed in the Tully area. It is found on waste ground, roadsides, headlands and has invaded cane fields.

   

182. Sour grass

Paspalum conjugatum

    

A creeping, perennial, grass that often forms dense mats and grows to 60 cm but often to only 30 cm. Stems are jointed and flattened. Leaves are yellowish-green, 8 to 12 cm long and about 1 cm wide and tapering to a fine point. Flower heads consist of two slender, yellow spikes, each 5 to 12 cm long, at the top of slender stalks. Spikelets are small, rounded, pale yellow or straw coloured and closely set in two rows along the spikes.

Sour Grass is widespread in tropical areas. It is a weed of wet areas and occasionally invades poorly drained cane fields. Also called Water Grass.

   
   

183. Paspalum

Paspalum dilatatum

    

A clump-forming, perennial grass growing to 1 m. Stems are not branched and tend to bend over when mature. Leaves are flat, have a prominent midrib, are 10 to 25 cm long and about 1 cm wide. Flower heads are made up of 2 to 6 spikes, each 5 to 9 cm long, which are held at right angles to the stem. There is a conspicuous tuft of hairs where each spike joins the stem. Spikelets are elliptical, about 3 mm long, and fringed with silky hairs. They are arranged in 2 double rows along the spike.

Paspalum is widespread and common. It is an excellent pasture grass but is a weed of crops, roadsides and headlands.

   
   

184. Water couch

Paspalum distichum

    

A semi-erect, creeping perennial grass- growing to about 20 cm. Stems are prostrate at the base, curving to become erect at the end and are sometimes branched. Leaves are 5 to 15 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide. Flower heads are made up of pairs of spikes each 2 to 7 cm long. Spikelets are elliptical, 3 mm long and arranged in two rows on the spikes.

Water Couch is widespread and common in wet situations. Although it is usually found growing in water it occasion-ally invades poorly drained areas in cane fields. It causes problems in drainage channels by restricting the flow of water.