An annual grass with erect stems forming loose tufts and growing to 60 cm. Leaves are pale green, flat, rather stiff and tapering towards the tip. Seed heads are narrow, spike-like and have many closely packed burrs which fall off readily when ripe. The burrs are about 4 mm across, formed of a ring of stout, broad, spiny bristles and are joined together at the base.
Mossman River Grass is widespread and common, particularly on sandy ground. It infests headlands, roadsides and invades cane fields especially in areas of coastal sand dunes. The burrs readily cling to clothing and painfully attach themselves to skin. |