Guinea grass

Family: Poaceae
Scientific name: Megathyrsus maximus
Description: Plant Form: Large tufted perennial grass. Size: Up to 3 m tall. Stem: Erect branched, vary from hairless to hairy, lowest seed head branches form a whorl around stem. Leaves: Spreading blades that are very long 15-100 cm, with a hairy sheath enclosing the stem, usually sparsely hairy, with flat edges, with prominent white midrib. Flowers: Heads are loosely branched and open, 12-60 cm long, with small oval shaped spikelets which are usually green but sometimes reddish. Fruit and Seeds: One fertile floret in spikelets. Seed is dispersed by various means. Habitat: Crops, forests, parks, roadsides, grassland, riparian areas. Distinguishing Features: Combination of size, thick leaf blades and open flowerheads distinguish from other tall grasses (Poacaeae). Impacts: Outcompetes with native and crop species. Weed Status: Other Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural Lifeform: Grassy

Example images for this weed