Erect, tufted hairy annual grass, sometimes to about 50 cm or so tall. Leaves flat, velvety. Ligule membranous, hairy. Inflorescence a dense ovoid panicle 1-7 cm long. Spikelets 1-flowered. Glumes 2, persistent, 1-nerved, tapering to awn-like points. Lemmas 5-nerved with two lobes, each awned and with a longer awn between.

Mediterranean

Naturalised in all states except the Northern Territory, especially in dunes, coastal scrub, and sandy lowlands. Little value as either stock food or turf. The fluffy flower heads are sometimes used in flower arrangements.

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.