by Alannah Benson

This article is another instalment in our series, Know Your Park Lands Plants, where we introduce you to some of the myriad species that populate your Adelaide Park Lands. Today, we look at windmill grass.

Have you ever seen grass that appears to have the shape of a windmill?

You might have spotted Chloris truncata, also known as windmill grass — a short-lived, perennial grass, which is well-adapted to dryland environments. Many insects and small mammals use it for habitat.

Windmill grass has been spotted in GS Kingston Park / Wirrarninthi (Park 23), Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21W), Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20), and Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25), among other parks in your Adelaide Park Lands.

It grows in woodlands and dryland grasslands. Flowering in spring and summer, windmill grass germinates after rainfall.

Growing 10 to 50cm tall, it thrives in most soil types and is commonly found in red, sandy soils or grey clays.

Windmill grass has five to 10 branches, with purplish spikes shaped like a windmill, and tufted, erect stems. The spikelets turn black once they’re mature.

The grass’s black, triangular-shaped seeds are dispersed by the wind and animals. The seeds can remain dormant in the soil for many years.

C.truncata is also known to be a good colonising species (species that are known for their robustness and ability to establish themselves in a wide range of environments).

Next time you are in your Adelaide Park Lands, keep an eye out for a ‘small windmill’ – you might just be looking at the species, Chloris truncata!

Want to know more about the plants in your Park Lands? Head over to iNaturalist, where you can record, share and discuss your findings with fellow naturalists.

There is an iNaturalist page, which can show you exactly where citizen scientists (like you!) have observed windmill grass.

See the other plants featured in our Know Your Park Lands Plants series here: https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/know-your-park-lands-plants.

++++

Main photo, top, of Chloris truncata at Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25) by insiderelic (iNaturalist).