Guinea Grass

Description:

Megathyrsus maximus*, known as "guinea grass" and "green panic grass", is a large, perennial bunch grass that is native to Africa, Palestine, and Yemen. It has been introduced in the tropics around the world. A perennial grass with short underground stems (rhizomes) forming tufted clumps and aboveground stems that are usually erect. This subspecies can grow upwards of 3 metres tall, but is usually about 2 metres in height. Guinea grass is a good example of a useful fodder species that causes problems when growing in the wrong place. In the state of Queensland, the Queensland Acclimatisation Society introduced Guinea grass to 22 locations between 1865 and 1869. It has been widely naturalised in Australia, although is still considered a weed.

Habitat:

This Guinea Grass was spotted at the Metroplex wetlands in Murarrie, Brisbane QLD. A very common and widespread weed in many different habitats across the country.

Notes:

Panicum maximum ssp. maximum is a synonym for this species. NB: Megathyrsus maximus has two subspecies: Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus ssp. maximus) and green panic grass (Megathyrsus maximus ssp. pubiglumis), both of which are found in Australia. See second reference for details.