Common Australian Garden Weeds

Eleusine indica

Scientific name: Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.


Habit of crowsfoot grass (Eleusine indica) from above.


Close-up of a flower spike during anthesis.


Mature seeds on the inflorescence of crowsfoot grass.


The inflorescence after the seeds have fallen (disarticulated) showing the bracts (glumes) that remain on the stem.

Synonyms: Cynosurus indicus L.; Eleusine indica var. monostachya F.M. Bailey

Common name:Crowsfoot grass

Family: Poaceae

Origin:

Origin unknown, found as a weed in all tropical regions.

Habit:

Annual tufted grass, with tough leaves and ascending and prostrate stems. Flowering stems reaching 30-60 cm in height.

Habitat:

Weed of tended areas, often grows where lawns and garden beds have been cleared. Found frequently as a weed of pastures and crop seeds.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are either erect or prostrate. Leaf sheaths are flattened with an appendage at the base of the leaf blade (ligule) which is a short membrane cut off bluntly at the edges, 0.5-1 mm long. The leaf blades are linear, with a blunt tip 3-35 x 0.3-0.8 cm. Margins are rough to the touch, the rest of the leaf is hairless.

Flowers and fruit

Inflorescences are borne on erect stalks 30-60 cm long, with 1-15 spikes 3.5-15.5 cm long radiating outwards, like a windmill (ie. digitate or sub-digitate). Spikelets are arranged in a loosely overlapping manner. Papery glumes are left behind on the stalks once the mature seeds have dropped off. Seeds are reddish brown, enclosed within pale bracts.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Grass with a digitate or almost digitate inflorescence made up of several spikes and a short, membranous ligule.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 3. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Friend, E. (1983). Queensland Weed Seeds. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.