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Chloris spp.

windmill grasses

Poaceae

Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

The genus Chloris spp., known collectively as windmill grasses, takes in roughly 55 species of warm-season grasses (Poaceae) distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Both annual and perennial species occur, forming tufts or, in some, spreading by stolons; height ranges from 0.2 m (8 in) in small annuals to 1.5 m (5 ft) in robust perennials such as Rhodes grass (C. gayana). The common name refers to the seed heads, in which several one-sided spikes radiate from a single point at the stem tip like the vanes of a windmill. Each spike carries closely set spikelets, often tipped with slender awns, and the heads age from greenish or purplish to tawny brown. Like other members of its tribe, Chloris spp. uses C4 photosynthesis, which supports rapid growth in heat and bright light. Several species are grown as pasture and forage grasses, while others behave as colonisers of disturbed and roadside ground and can become weedy. Plants establish quickly from seed, tolerate drought once rooted, and grow on a wide range of soils, but most are frost-sensitive and die back or perish where winters are cold.

Native Range

Chloris spp. has a pantropical distribution, with species native to the Americas, Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. Several, including Rhodes grass, have been introduced well beyond their original range as forage and have naturalised widely.

Suggested Uses

Chloris spp. species are grown for pasture and erosion control on warm, dry sites, and the larger perennials are planted in meadow and naturalistic schemes for their windmill seed heads. Seeds feed granivorous birds. Vigorous spread makes some species unsuited to small, tidy borders.

How to Identify

The defining feature is the windmill-like seed head: two to many one-sided spikes spreading from a single point at the top of the stem, frequently bearing slender awns. Leaf blades are flat to folded and often grey-green, arising from flattened sheaths. The genus separates from the related Cynodon spp. and Eustachys spp. by the arrangement and awn pattern of its spikelets.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering runs through the warm season, mainly summer into autumn, and in frost-free areas can continue for much of the year. Seed heads develop quickly after flowering and persist on the plant as they dry. Cool weather and frost end the display.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish to purplish, ageing tawny brown

Foliage Description

grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun on well-drained soils across a pH of 5.5-8.0 and tolerate sand, loam, and clay. Once established they withstand extended drought and heat, reflecting their C4 metabolism. Growth is warm-season, so plants stay dormant or die back in cold weather. Perennial species spread by stolons or self-seed freely, which can make some persistent in cultivation. Little feeding or irrigation is needed on moderately fertile ground.

Pruning

Perennial species are cut back to near ground level at the end of the cold season to clear old growth before new shoots emerge. Taking off seed heads before they ripen limits self-sowing. Annual species need no pruning.