Poaceae

Megathyrsus maximus

Common Names: Guinea grass.

Plant Form: Large tufted perennial grass. Size: Up to 3m tall. Stem: Erect branched, vary from hairless to hairy, lowest seed head branches form a whorl around stem. Leaves: Spreading blades that are very long 15-100 cm, with a hairy sheath enclosing the stem, usually sparsely hairy, with flat edges, with prominent white midrib. Flowers: Heads are loosely branched and open, 12-60 cm long, with small oval shaped spikelets which are usually green but sometimes reddish. Fruit and Seeds: One fertile floret in spikelets., seed is dispersed by varous means. Habitat: Crops, forests, parks, roadsides, grassland, riparian areas. Distinguishing Features: Combination of size, thick leaf blades and open flowerheads distinguish from other tall grasses (Poacaeae). Impacts: Outcompetes with native and crop species.

Large branched panicles

Leaves can grow from stems

Young plants grow wide

Old plants, many erect canes