Chloris truncata
| Chloris truncata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Chloridoideae |
| Genus: | Chloris |
| Species: | C. truncata |
| Binomial name | |
| Chloris truncata R.Br.[1] | |
Chloris truncata, known by the common names Australian windmill grass and simply windmill grass locally in Australia, is a perennial grass.[2]
Chloris truncata is a low-growing grass forming a small clump of around 30 centimetres in diameter. It has long leaves, approximately 10–15 cm long with a distinctive blunt tip and flattened leaf sheath at the base. It is light green in colour with a prominent central vein.
The plant gets its common name from its large windmill-shaped flowering heads, which can be around 30 cm across. Each of the long black spikes is lined with black seeds which have two awns each. Seed is set in both summer and winter. The plant spreads moderately fast, but is relatively hard to propagate. It prefers full sun and may be used as a lawn grass if mowed lightly.[3]
Additional reading
- Hrusa, F., et al. 2002. Catalog of non-native vascular plants occurring spontaneously in California beyond those addressed in The Jepson Manual. Part I. Madroño 49: 61-98.
- Wagner, W. L., et al. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i, 2 vols. University of Hawaii Press, Bishop Museum, Honolulu.
References
- ↑ "Chloris truncata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ↑ Plants of the Adelaide Plains and Hills. Library of South Australia.
- ↑ "The Native Plants of Adelaide". Department for Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 21 March 2011.