Paspalum, Dallis Grass

(Paspalum Dilatatum) A tufted, perennial from South America, Paspalum grows from a solid, hairy base or crown. It is a tall grass reaching to about 2m high. The leaf blade is angled along the midrib, long, narrow and bright green. It produces a head of flowers during summer to autumn, usually with several spike-like racemes at right-angles to the stem. The seed heads have paired seeds lined up in four rows. Seeds are brown when mature and fringed with fine hairs and may feel sticky. Spread by seed, this species is a major weed, although it does have some value as a pasture grass. Paspalum holds to the ground very firmly – manual removal often requires a sharp knife and some muscle to cut around the base and lift the plant out.