Overview
Ehrharta longiflora is an annual grass growing 8-36 inches (20-90 cm) tall, with soft, flat leaf blades 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long and loose, open flowering panicles. The leaf blades are 0.2-0.5 inch (5-12 mm) wide, flat, and bright green, sometimes with a slightly crinkled base. Flowering panicles are nodding and open, carrying spikelets with conspicuous awns; the lower florets bear awns up to about 0.4 inch (10 mm) long. The plant germinates with autumn rains, grows through winter and spring, flowers, and dies after setting seed in late spring to summer. It establishes readily on disturbed ground and in the understorey of open woodland. Introduced from southern Africa, it behaves as a naturalized weed in parts of Australia, where it can form dense stands on bare soil and carry fire in dry seasons after it cures.
Native Range
Native to southern Africa. Naturalized in southern and Western Australia and other temperate regions, where it grows on roadsides, disturbed ground, gardens, and the understorey of open woodland and bushland, often on sandy soils.Suggested Uses
Occurs as a naturalized weed rather than a planted grass and is not used in deliberate plantings. It appears on disturbed ground, in gardens, and in bushland understorey. In areas where it is naturalized, it is managed rather than encouraged because of its spread and dry, fire-carrying growth.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Produces flowering panicles mainly in spring and early summer, from about September to December in southern Australia, after autumn-winter growth. Seed ripens and sheds within a few weeks of flowering. The plant then dries off and dies, completing its cycle in one season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Green to strawFoliage Description
Bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs