PASPALUM DILATATUM


Common names: Dallis Grass, Caterpillar Grass
Description: A tussock forming perennial, growing up to 150-180 cm in height. Erect, hairless stems which bear seed heads that produce sticky, disc shaped seeds.
Flowers: Tall flower stalks support 3 to 7 long, thin spikes carrying many sticky seeds. These spikes stick out horrizontally from the stalk.
Leaves: 6 to 25 cm long, about 1 cm wide, flat green blades.
Reproduction: Reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by sticking to animals, humans, etc.
Flowering: Spring and Summer.
Habitat and Ecology: Native to Argentina, Uraguay and southern Brazil. It has now climatized to the wet, irrigated pastures or along roadsides.