Feathertop - introduced (*Pennistem villosum)

Native to Africa. Perennial. C4.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Other names. Long-style Feather-grass.

Identification:

• it is a low-growing grass
• the flowers are in a dense spike-like cluster
• the 1st glume is absent or up to a third of the lemma length
• the 1st lemma is sterile (does not produce seed), and the 2nd lemma is fertile
• numerous feathery bristles (to twice the length of the spikelets) rise from just below the bottom of the lemmas
• the leaves are folded or rolled
• the ligule is a row of hairs 1-3mm long.

The bristly white flower clusters are distinctive.

Sometimes grown as an ornamental grass. Most occurrences are on nature strips or similar places.

villosum: shaggy.