Coolatai grass

Perennial, medium or large (80-160 cm), smooth or little hairy, creating large tufts, with strong upright stems. Has many leaves, especially basal. Long (30-60 cm), large (3-7 mm), flat leaves. Inflorescence in elongated panicle, loose, hairy spikelets with bent awns.
Grains are coated in very hairy lemma, with bristles. 1000-grain weight: between 1 and 2 g. Lemma is often empty, without grain.
It is found especially in Mediterranean regions, tropical and southern Africa.

Coolatai grass is used mainly in pastures and grasslands where it can be associated with other species of the grass family (specially with Pennisetum). Tolerant to all environmental conditions, it can be mown or grazed before or at the beginning of the formation of panicles. In full bloom, it becomes woody.
It is in particular mown as a dry crop in hot and dry areas because of its high resistance to heat and lack of water. In the case of extended drought, it becomes necessary to irrigate it slightly. It is relatively well tolerant to cold, its above ground parts grow back in the spring in case of winter frosts, and sometimes produces grains if the winter remains mild. It loves sand and tolerates dry and rocky soils.