Chloris truncata

Family Poaceae

Windmill Grass

Erect glabrous annual tussock herb to 50 cm high, with 7 branched inflorescences up to 20 cm long. Longevity 4 - 5 years.

Flowers: Opportunistically in response to rain. Wind pollinated.

Fruit: Dry single seeded, black with short awns mature December – June.

Seed: Dispersed by adhesion and inflorescence blown by wind.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Widespread, edge of tracks and open areas.
• Occasional along tracks at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• Coloniser relying on spring and summer rainfall.
• C4 warm season metabolism.
• Seed reported to  be eaten by Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora.