Cone shaped

195. Forest bluegrass

Bothriochloa bladhii

A strongly tufted and erect perennial growing to 1 m or more. Stems are slightly kneed at the base with a few branches at the nodes. The internodes are usually longer than the leaf sheath. Leaf sheaths fit closely round the stem and are hairless and smooth. Leaves are almost flat, 10 to 30 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide and slightly rough along the edges. Flower heads are 15 cm long and made up of 5 to 15 spikes arranged singly or in small groups along the stems. Each spike is on a slender stalk and consists of 8 or more pairs of spikelets. The spikelets are deep purple in colour.

Forest Bluegrass is a widespread, native grass. It grows naturally in woodlands, favours heavy soils and has a strong aromatic smell. It is occasionally found on the margins of cane fields.


196. Scented top

Capillipedium spicigerum

A stout, perennial grass with smooth, hairless, unbranched stems growing to about 1 m. Leaf sheaths are covered with silky hairs, particularly towards the base of the plant. Leaves are 40 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide, tapering gradually to a point and with a prominent mid-rib. Flower heads are oval in outline and made up of individual spikes on slender branching stems. Each spike consists of 3 to 8 pairs of purple coloured spikelets.

Scented Top is widespread in forest country throughout eastern districts. The flower heads give off an aromatic smell when crushed. It is occasionally found on the margins of cane fields.


197. Mackie's pest

Chrysopogon aciculatus

A perennial, creeping grass which forms dense green mats. Leaves are in dense tufts along the creeping stems and are pale green, 2.5 to 5 cm long and sometimes longer. Flower heads are on upright stalks 15 to 35 cm high. Spikelets are on slender stalks and in small groups at the top of the main stem. Each spikelet has two fine sharp bristles.

Mackie's Pest is a common weed in northern districts. It is found on roadsides, headlands, lawns and other mowed areas.


198. Elastic grass

Eragrostis tenuifolia

An erect, tufted, short-lived perennial grass usually less than 45 cm high. It has a fibrous root system and wiry stems. Leaves are tough, narrow and light green. Flower heads are diffuse, upright and pyramid-shaped with small tufts of hair at each joint. Individual spikelets are very small but are grouped into flattened, elongated spikes about 8 mm long.

Elastic Grass is widespread particularly in central and southern districts. It is found mainly on headlands and roadways where it can tolerate regular and heavy traffic. Because of the tough nature of the stems and leaves, mowers tear and bruise rather than cut cleanly.


199. Swamp rice grass

Leersia hexandra

An erect grass with smooth, hairless stems growing to 1 m. Leaf sheaths are loose and hairless, and without leaf blades where the stems are submerged under water. Leaves are carried on the stems, tend to be shorter and wider near the base of the plant and have sharp, rough edges. Flower heads are 5 to 10 cm long and made up of several spikes on short, somewhat erect and twisted, stalks. The numerous spikelets are 3.5 mm long and on very short stalks on each spike.

Swamp Rice Grass grows in wet and swampy areas in most districts. It roots freely from the nodes and is present only in poorly drained cane fields.


200. Molasses grass

Melinis minutiflora

A perennial grass with stems rising to 1 m from a trailing and tangled mat near the ground. Roots grow from nodes which are in contact with the soil. The foliage is covered with a dense mass of hairs which give off a distinctive molasses-like smell. The leaves are 5 to 15 cm long and up to 1 cm wide, tapering from the base to a point. Flower heads are made up of clustered branches of spikes which open up, at maturity, into a pyramid-shape. Purple coloured spikelets are carried on the ends of the primary or secondary branches.

Molasses Grass has become naturalised in the high rainfall districts. It is mainly a weed of banks where it can grow undisturbed.


201. Panics

Panicum spp.

Tufted, perennial grasses with smooth, hairless stems. Panics are characterised by open, cone-shaped flower heads with the spikes, often in whorls but sometimes singly, on the stems. Spike-lets are carried in pairs on secondary or even tertiary branches.

The Panics comprise a large genus of important native and introduced grasses. They occupy a wide range of habitats. The species which is a serious weed of cane fields is Guinea Grass (P. maximum). Illustrated here is Two-colour Panic (Panicum effusum v. simile), which is common in most districts.


202. Guinea grass

Panicum maximum

A tall, leafy, robust and clump-forming perennial grass that grows up to 3 m , but is often only half this height. The leaves are long, about 1 cm wide, finely pointed and with a prominent mid-rib. Flower heads are large and diffuse with many branches, often in whorls on the main stem. Spikelets are carried on secondary and tertiary branches. They are oblong, about 3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide and often purple in colour.

Guinea Grass is widespread and is a serious weed of cane fields in some areas. Its similarity to cane and its perennial habit make it difficult to control once established. Hamil Grass is a giant form of Guinea Grass growing to 3 m. It has very hairy leaf sheaths and stalks which are semi-flattened towards the base.


203. Reeds

Phragmites spp.

Coarse, robust, perennial grasses growing 2 to 3 m. They have erect stems and underground runners. Stems are thick and usually unbranched. Leaf sheaths clasp the stem tightly and have a fringe of fine hairs at the junction with the leaf blades. Leaves are coarse, up to 5 cm wide near the base and tapering to a long, fine point. Flower heads are about 30 cm long, pyramid-shaped and dense with many branches. Spikelets are brown to purplish in colour and surrounded by long, white, silky hairs.

Reeds are widespread and grow in permanently wet areas such as swamps and creek banks. They frequently invade adjoining cane fields where they are difficult to control by cultivation. Left unchecked they compete with young cane.


204. Red natal grass

Rhynchelytrum repens

A slender, tussocky, perennial grass with stems curving up from the base and kneed at the lower joints. Leaves mainly on the stems and green to blue-green in colour. They are 7.5 to 15 cm long, less than 0.5 cm wide and tapering towards the tip. Flower heads are sometimes partly enclosed in the upper leaf sheaths. They are about 15 cm long and made up of many primary and secondary branches. Individual spikelets are covered in pink to pale red, shiny hairs, giving the head an attractive, frothy appearance.

Red Natal Grass is widespread and common. It is mainly a weed of headlands and roadsides.


205. Wild sorghums

Sorghum spp.

Perennial grasses with thick, erect, cane-like stems. Leaf sheaths are shorter than the internodes. Leaves are long, broad, hairless and tapering from below the middle to a fine point. Flower heads are up to 35 cm long with branches spreading out into a pyramid-shape when mature. Branches are long and slender and usually in whorls or clusters around the stem, each with one or more spikes. Spikelets are in pairs and 1 to 2.5 cm long.

Wild Sorghums are widespread and common in some localities. They are serious weeds of cane fields. Rhodesian Sudan Grass (S. verticilliflorum) is the most common, Johnson Grass (S. halapense) and Columbus Grass (S. almum) are problem weeds in some areas. Illustrated are the buttress roots of Rhodesian Sudan Grass and the creeping roots of Johnson Grass.


206. Rhodesian sudan grass

Sorghum verticilliflorum

This Sorghum is a tall, robust, perennial grass that forms compact clumps without underground runners. Stems are stout, 1.5 to 2.5 m high and have prop roots. Leaves and stems often have red markings. Flower heads are up to 35 cm long with branches spreading out into a pyramid-shape when mature. Branches are long and slender and usually in whorls or clusters around the stem, each with one or more spikes. Spikelets are dark reddish-brown, in pairs and with a bristle 1.2 cm long at the ends.

Rhodesian Sudan Grass is widespread and common in some areas. It is a serious weed of cane fields.