Poaceae

Chloris truncata

Common Names: Windmill grass

Plant Form: Grass. Size: Up to 50 cm tall. Stem: Flattened and rough, straight. Leaves: Folded up to 15 cm long blades. Flowers: Windmill-like spread of 5-10 spikes radiating from single point on end of stem. Fruit and Seeds: Green to purple to black flat-topped florets in spikelets with awns to 15 mm long. Habitat: Pastures, bare ground, wasteland. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from other windmill-like grasses such as other Chloris or Digitaria species by awns and flat-topped florets. Note This is a native species that is considered a weed in certain situations. Impacts: Becomes unpalatable with age, outcompetes native grasses.