Summer Grass

Summer Grass is a rapid colonising turf that is characterised by stems radiating from the plant center in a spreading or upright manner.  Stems are branched at the node and will form roots at the node branches.

Leaves are long and narrow and may be between 5-15 cm in length and normally finely haired on both sides. Stems sheaths may have a green or purplish color with the purplish color more pronounced at the sheath base. Flower racemes may have 4-10 fingers. It is commonly found through temperate and warm areas of Australia.

Summer Grass is a common invader of golf tees and greens, fairways, sporting fields and parks and amenity turf.

Summer grass is a summer annual that re-establishes in spring from previous season’s seed. Summer Grass begins to germinate when soil temperatures reach 12°C to 15°C and is problematic for sports fields, as it competes for space in the sward.

As Summer Grass is a rapid coloniser taking advantage of space in spring, it can rapidly out compete recovering turf for space, nutrients and water. Once established it can be persistent and dominates throughout the warmer months so prevention is best. Pre-emergent control is recommended to prevent establishment of hard to control mature plants.