Heteropogon contortus is a tropical, perennial tussock grass with a native distribution encompassing Southern Africa, southern Asia, Northern Australia, Oceania, and southwestern North America. The species has also become a naturalised weed in tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas and East Asia. The plant grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height and is favoured in most environments by frequent burning. The plants develop characteristic dark seeds with a single long awn at one end and a sharp spike at the other. The awn becomes twisted when dry and straightens when moistened, and in combination with the spike is capable of drilling the seed into the soil.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Tanglehead being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Heteropogon melanocarpus
- Heteropogon triticeus
- Hyparrhenia rufa
- Hyparrhenia hirta
- Hyparrhenia sinaica
- Diheteropogon amplectens
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Order
- Poales
- Family
- Poaceae
- Genus
- Heteropogon
- Species
- Heteropogon contortus
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