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Sporobolus indicus var. africanus

(L.) R. Br.

Parramatta grass, Rat's tail, Tufty grass

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(c) 博甫, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 博甫

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Sporobolus indicus is a species of grass known by the common name smut grass.

Description

A grass which keeps growing from year to year. It forms tufts. It grows 60 cm high. The blades are flat or weakly rolled inwards. They are 6-18 cm long. The flower panicles are narrow and like spikes. They are 10-25 cm long. The spikelets are 2-2.5 mm long. They are grey colour.

Edible Uses

The seeds are used as a cereal grain.

Distribution

It grows in arid subtropical climates.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, India, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania,

Notes

There are about 160 Sporobolus species. They are mainly in the tropics and subtropics.

Synonyms

Agrostis africanus Poir.Sporobolus africanus (Poiret) Robyns & TournaySporobolus indicus var. capensis

References (6)

  • Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 196
  • Flora of Australia Volume 49, Oceanic Islands 1, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. (1994) p 476
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G., 1997, Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia. p 70
  • Lamp, C.A., Forbes, S.J. and Cade, J.W., 1990, Grasses of Temperate Australia. Inkata Press. p 259
  • Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 227
Show all 6 references
  • Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 89

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