Cynosurus L.

2 species naturalized Aust.; NSW, Vic., Tas., S.A., WA

Tufted annual or perennial. Culms 1–3-noded, erect to spreading, smooth. Ligule membranous. Leaf narrow, flat. Inflorescence a dense one-sided panicle with short branches. Spikelets of 2 kinds, sterile and fertile mixed together in clusters; the sterile ones pedicellate, almost concealing the sessile, fertile spikelets. Fertile spikelets oblong or wedge-shaped. Rachilla of spikelets disarticulating above glumes. Glumes keeled. Lemma rounded on the back mucronate to awned. Sterile spikelets 4–6 mm long, persistent, composed of up to 18 narrow finely pointed bracts.