Culms erect, to 120 cm high. Leaves glabrous to sparsely pubescent; blade loosely folded, to 45 cm long and 9 mm wide, scabrous; ligule 2–5 mm long. Inflorescence a loose panicle to 30 cm long. Spikelets (20–)25–40 mm long, 4–7 mm wide (when fully expanded but prior to breaking up at maturity); lower glume 6–12 mm long, upper glume 8–14 mm long; lemma 10–20 mm long, scabrous along keel but otherwise glabrous; awn 1–4 mm long. Flowers mostly Aug.–Jan.
LoM, MuM, Wim, Brid, VVP, VRiv, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, Strz. Except for the mallee and mountain areas, common and widespread through the state, mostly on roadsides, in paddocks, lawns etc., but not commonly invading native vegetation. Native to the northern parts of South America, but widely naturalised around the world.
