Small flower heads on short stalks

192. Jaragua grass

Hyparrhenia rufa

   

A perennial grass with erect, smooth stems growing to 1.5 m. Leaves arise from the base of the plant and from the stems. Leaf sheaths are rather loose, smooth and hairless. The internodes are considerably longer than the leaf sheaths and the yellow colour of the stem contrasts with the green of the sheath to give the plant a banded appearance. Leaves are 15 to 30 cm long, usually less than 0.5 cm wide and taper gradually to a point. Flower heads consist of one or more branches each having papery bracts which surround the spikes. Each spike is made up of one or two awned spikelets.

Jaragua Grass is common along roadsides in central and north-ern districts. It is often found growing alongside Grader Grass (Themeda quadrivalvis).


 

193. Kangaroo grass

Themeda australis

 

A tufted perennial with erect, usually unbranched stems, growing to 1.5 m. Leaves arise from the base of the plant and the stems. Leaf sheaths are striped, hairless near the base with short hairs near the top and with translucent margins. Leaves are 15 to 20 cm long and less than 0.5 cm wide, pointed at the tip and often bluish-green. Flower heads are reddish-brown and made up of spikes carried on slender stalks. Each spike consists of one or more spikelets on very short stalks forming a tight cluster. At maturity the whole plant takes on a golden-brown coloured appearance.

Kangaroo grass is widespread and common, particularly in grassy forests. - It is prevalent along roadsides and wasteland which is not regularly grazed.


 

194. Grader grass

Themeda quadrivalvis

 

A robust, annual grass with jointed, cane-like stems growing to 1, sometimes 2 m. Leaves are well-spaced, long and narrow. Flower heads are long, branched and interspersed with short leaves. Flower heads are reddish-brown, made up of spikes carried on slender stalks. Spikelets have bent, brown bristles at the ends and are surrounded by leafy bracts with dense clusters of hairs. At maturity, the whole plant takes on a golden-brown appearance.

Grader Grass was originally reported in the Mackay district but is now well distributed throughout the coast. It is mainly a weed of roadsides and railway embankments but it also invades the edges of cane fields. Its large size and vigour allow it to compete with cane and it is a serious weed in some localities. Also called Habana Oat Grass.