Tough, coarse erect perennial grass that spreads by stout creeping rhizomes. Leaf blade rolled in bud, flat, stiff, rough above, hairless and glossy underneath, sharppointed, grey-green. Ligule membranous, narrow, 1.0-3.0 mm long. Inflorescence dense, pale-reddish spreading spike-like panicle with closely overlapping spikelets.

Mediterranean, northern and western Europe

Grass once used for coastal conservation and sand dune reclamation but weedy, widely naturalised, and unsuitable in Australia. A poor pasture and turf grass species.

Source: Spencer, R.; Aldous, D.; Stajsic, V.; McGeary, D (2005). Poaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.