Common Australian Garden Weeds

Imperata cylindrica

Scientific name: Imperata cylindrica (L.) Rauschel


Habit of blady grass (Imperata cylindrica) growing along a fence-line.


Leaves of blady grass.


Close-up of the thick strap-like leaves of blady grass with rough edges.


Young blady grass inflorescence.


Close-up of mature blady grass inflorescence showing wind-blown seeds.

Synonyms: Lagurus cylindricus L.; Imperata cylindrica var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubbard; I. arundinacea auct. Non Cyr.

Common name: Blady grass

Family: Poaceae

Origin:

Cosmopolitan.

Habit:

Perennial tufted grass with coarse leaves, developing a rhizome. Plants grow to 1 m in height.

Habitat:

Common weed of untended areas. It is also a weed of perennial crops in tropical areas, is common in areas that are frequently burnt, and a weed of degraded pastures.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Leaves are erect, up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves are flat, with prominent mid-rib and sharp toothed edges. Nodes usually have a ring of silky hairs, leaves often are hairy also ligules (small appendages at the top of the leaf sheaths) are hairy. This plant forms an extensive network of white rhizomes.

Flowers and fruit

Inflorescences are cylindrical spikes, 3-20 x 0.6-2.5 cm, with silvery fluffy hairs 0.9-1.5 cm long.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Erect growing tufted grass with sharp edged leaves which easily cut the skin. Grows approximately 1m tall. Flower spikes are silvery and fluffy.

Noxious status:

Not declared noxious in Australia, however it appears in the list of ‘100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Species’.

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.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.

Anonymous. (2000). Global Invasive Species Databank. IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, University of Auckland.