Australian fingergrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian fingergrass |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chloris (plant)
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| Species: |
truncata
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Chloris truncata, often called Australian fingergrass or windmill-grass, is a special type of grass found in Australia. It's known as a perennial grass, which means it grows back year after year without needing to be replanted. People often call it "windmill grass" because its unique flowers look a lot like a spinning windmill!
Australian Windmill Grass
What Does It Look Like?
Chloris truncata is a small grass that grows in clumps. Each clump can be about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) wide. Its leaves are quite long, usually around 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches). They have a distinct blunt tip and a flat base where they connect to the stem. The grass is a light green color. You can often see a clear vein running down the middle of each leaf.
Its Unique Flowers
The most interesting part of this plant is its flowers. They form large, windmill-shaped heads that can spread out to about 30 centimeters (1 foot) across. Each flower head has long, black spikes. These spikes are covered with black seeds. Each seed has two small, bristle-like parts called awns. This grass produces seeds in both summer and winter.
How It Grows
Australian windmill grass spreads at a moderate speed. However, it can be a bit tricky to grow new plants from seeds or cuttings. This grass loves sunny spots. If you mow it lightly, it can even be used as a lawn grass.
