Weeping Grass

Description

Microlaena stipoides(Microlaena) or Ehrharta stipoides is a species of grass that occurs naturally in all states of Australia as well as in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines. It has also been introduced into Hawaii and Reunion Island and has been reported as invasive in both. Common names used include weeping grass, weeping rice grass, and weeping meadow grass. Microlaena can spread by stolons, rhizomes, and tillers arising from corms beneath the surface. The rhizomes and corms protect the plant from heavy grazing. The stolons can facilitate rapid spread in good seasons. Seed production, viability, and germination is not competitive with annual species, so it is important that existing plants are protected to maintain composition. Microlaena stipoides produces nutritious pasture for grazing livestock with productivity of approximately 2 to 7 tonnes per hectare and digestibility of approximately 60–70%. Its drought-tolerance has led to an increasing interest in its use for turf to replace exotic species, and it is being researched as a perennial grain crop. The grains are high in protein and small-scale commercial production for human consumption has commenced.