Citation: Stapf, Fl. Trop. Afr. 9:315 (1919).

Synonymy: Andropogon hirtus L., Sp. Pl. 1046 (1753).

Common name: Tambookie grass.

Description:
Densely tufted perennial, to 2 m high; leaf blades flat, tapering to a narrow point, 10-30 cm long, 1-5 mm broad.

Panicle elongated, loose, 15-30 cm long, with 3-8 cm long spathe-like bracts; racemes erect or nodding, 1.5-4 cm long, whitish- or greyish-villous, with 5-7 pairs of spikelets; sessile spikelets 5-6 mm long, first glume 9-11-nerved, loosely villous, second glume thinner; first lemma almost as long as the glumes, second (fertile) lemma narrow, c. 4 mm long, with 2 short subacute lobes and a 15-25 mm long awn; pedicellate spikelets male.

Published illustration: Burbidge (1970) Australian grasses 3:pl. 90.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: EA, NL, MU, SL, SE.   Qld; N.S.W.   Native to Africa and the Mediterranean. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: only recorded in May and Dec.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: South Australian specimens appear to be longer than those from Africa.

Author: Not yet available