Small, dense, short-lived warm season perennial grass to about 40 cm tall. Leaf folded in bud. Leaf blade short, narrow, strongly folded so stems appear flattened, hairy, light bluish in colour. Sheath flattened. Inflorescence digitate with 6-9 spikes spreading stiffly horizontally at the top of the stem.

Australia

Palatable pasture grass; its coarseness limits its potential as turf.

 

C. gayana Kunth, Rhodes Grass, from southern Africa is an erect, summer growing perennial grass to over 1 m tall, spreading by long stolons that root at the nodes; it has high pasture value and is a coloniser; can be used as a rough turf.

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.