This is a tropical grass which has arrived in the past in bird seed, wool or soyabean imports. This particular specimen is in the early stages of flowering but when mature the inflorescence sometimes has a purple tinge. The wide leaves and long awns are characteristic.

In spite of it having come a long way to the British Isles it is fairly wide spread in England particularly the south and there is some to be found in Ireland, Scotland and Wales too.

LHS: Portway, Bristol 10th September 2006 RHS: Frodsham marsh 1st November 2006

Added on 25th September 2006, updated 16th December 2008, updated 29th March 2010