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Windmill grass, Umbrella grass
Chloris truncata
Distribution
Windmill grass grows in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, parts of Queensland and throughout New South Wales, except for the south coast.
Description
Windmill grass can be either annual or perennial and forms a rounded tussock usually less than 50 cm tall. The stems are smooth with 2–3 nodes towards the base which may form roots at the nodes. These nodes often give rise to roots enabling the plant to spread across the soil surface. The leaves are flat, without hairs and rough to the touch. They are up to 14 cm long and 2–5 mm wide.
Flower heads have 6 to 9 spikes all spreading out from a common point forming an umbrella shape.
Habitat/soils
Windmill grass grows on clay soils in drier areas, but favours red or black earths. It is primary coloniser of bare soil areas and will rapidly occupy denuded areas.
Tolerances
High heat tolerance
High drought tolerance
Low frost tolerance
Sowing
Seed should be sown into a weed–free seed bed in early spring. It is preferable to lightly scratch or scarify the soil to create niches for the seed to lodge in. The seed should not be sown deep, but would be best broadcast over the surface then incorporated into the top 5mm of the surface by dragging over a set of harrows or similar equipment.
Uses
A valuable soil stabiliser. This grass is a useful fodder crop for other warm season perennial grasses as it establishes quickly with minimal rain needed. Windmill grass can produce valuable and palatable fodder when it is actively growing. Chloris truncata is suitable for turf as it is shorter than Chloris ventricosa with a maximum height of 30 cm.
As it never grows very tall, this grass has low mowing requirements. This makes it useful for roadsides, easements and for passive recreation. It can also work well in horticulture for areas that need a summer active ground cover that will not grow very tall.
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Chloris truncata
Chloris truncata seedhead
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