*Sporobolus africanus

Family Poaceae

Parramatta Grass, Rat’s Tail Grass

Tufted perennial grass to 90 cm high with strong root system. Primary juvenile period less than 6 months. Longevity 2 - 5 years.

Flowers: Summer, wind dispersed.

Fruit: Dry, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit.

Seed: Dispersed locally, no specialised dispersal mechanisms.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Native of Africa.
• Weed of disturbed areas, roadsides, tracks and pastures.
• Occasional along tracks in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• Resprouts after fire.
• C4 warm season metabolism.
• Seedlings establish on compacted sites.

Asterisk * indicates exotic species naturalised at the Australian Botanic Garden.