The Biology of Australian Weeds 64. 'Hyparrhenia hirta' (L.) Stapf

Abstract

The Latin name 'Hyparrhenia' (family Poaceae) is derived from the Greek 'hypo' meaning below and 'arrhenos' meaning male and refers to the lower male floret of the fertile spikelet. The species name hirta, meaning hairy, refers to the hairy florets (Wagner et al. 1999). 'Hyparrhenia hirta' (L.) Stapf is a member of the subfamily Panicoideae and the tribe Andropogoneae. The plant is commonly known as Coolatai grass (New South Wales), Tambookie grass (Australia), South African bluestem (United States of America), and common thatching grass (southern Africa).