Family:

Poaceae

Chloris truncata

Windmill Grass

Other Names: Umbrella Grass, Star Grass, Blow-away Grass.

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Widespread, throughout most areas of region.

Habitat & Site Selection:

Many soil and community types. More common on red or black earths. Moderate drought tolerance. Low frost tolerance.

Habit:

Erect, hairless perennial to 50 cm high, forming dense low crown of small fibrous leaves. Sometimes with short, branched stolons, and distinctive flower spike, late winter to summer. Relatively short-lived. 

Seed Collection:

Early Jan to mid Mar. Monitor closely as mature seeds shed in 3-14 days.

Propagation:

Store for 12 months before sowing due to after-ripening period, or overcome dormancy be removing structures enclosing seeds. Germinates at 15-350C. Suited to direct seeding into pots (2-3 per pot), and in the field. Germinates in 2-3 weeks.

VALUES:

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Seed eaten by native birds, including finches. Cover for small reptiles.

Ornamental:

Useful resilient lawn grass, or spectacular ornamental. Plant in groups for best effect. Rejuvenate old plants by severe trimming or burning, and water afterwards to encourage growth.

Other:

High forage value but does not appear to be readily grazed, unless young growth. Increases in response to grazing and raised fertility.