Citation: R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 170 (1810) var. africanus (Poiret) Jovet & Guedes, Bull. Centre Et. Rech. sc. Biarritz 7:63 (1968).

Synonymy: S. africanus (Poiret)F. Robyns & Tour~ nay, Bull. Jard. Bot. Brux. 25:242 (1955); Agrostis africana Poiret, Encycl. Suppl. 1(1):254 (1810); A. capensis Willd., Sp. Pl. 1:372 (1797), nom. illegit.; S. capensis (Willd.) Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1:212 (1833).

Common name: Ratstail grass, Parramatta grass.

Description:
Stems erect, slender, 15-50 cm high; leaves mostly basal, the blades subulate, 6-18 cm long.

Panicle spike-like, dark-green, sometimes slightly interrupted near the base, 6-20 cm long, 4-7 mm thick; glumes unequal, the first c. 0.5 mm long, obtuse, the second c. 1.5 mm long, acute; lemma a little over 2 mm long, 1-nerved.

Published illustration: Burbidge (1970) Australian grasses 3:pl. 59.

Distribution:  Especially common in the coastal belt and also occurs in built-up areas.   All mainland States except the N.T.   Native to southern Africa. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Nov. — June.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available