Poaceae

Andropogon gayanus

Common Names: Gamba grass

Plant Form: Very tall grass. Size: Up to 4 m tall. Stem: Robust and covered in soft white hairs. Leaves: Broad, strap like and long, with white midrib. Flowers: V-shaped fluffy head above the leaves on thick stems. Fruit and Seeds: Seeds 7-9 mm long, hairy, with bent and twisted awns. Habitat: Rangelands, roadsides and bushland on urban fringes. Distinguishing Features: Height and hairy stems distinguish from other grasses (Poaceae), harder to distinguish when younger. Elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus) can grow taller, but has cylindrical dense heads. Impacts: Alters vegetation structure and dramatically increases fire risk.

Very tall grass (4m +)

Paired inflorescences

White midrib

Hairy stems