Rostraria Trin.

2 species naturalized Aust.; all states and territories except NT

*Rostraria cristata (L.) Tzvelev

Spikelets with 2–6 florets, compressed, 2–3 mm long, on pedicels 1 mm long, disarticulating above the glumes. Glumes membranous, 2–3 mm long, awnless. Lemmas similar to the glumes but with a fine awn 1 mm long. Upper florets smaller or sterile or reduced to a bristle. Inflorescence a cylindrical dense, spike-like panicle up to 15 cm long, sometimes lobed, 6–20 mm diam.; the spikelets in clusters. Leaves hairy; blades up to 10 cm long, 1–3 mm wide; ligule of bristles. Erect annual. Pastures; roadsides; weed. Introd. from the Mediterranean. Fl. spring–summer. Annual Catstail