General Description:

Themeda is a genus of grasses occurring in Australia, Asia and Africa. There are about 30 species worldwide with about 5 being found in Australia. T.triandra (syn. T. australis) is the most common member of the genus in Australia.

Themeda triandra is a tufted, perennial grass that forms spreading or upright clumps, usually about 0.5 metres high but may reach about 1.5 metres high. The leaves are usually greyish green but forms with a blue-grey colour can be found. Flowers are seen from late spring to mid autumn, appearing as reddish-brown spikelets with distinct awns (stiff bristles) and surrounded by leaf-like bracts. Seed ripens in late summer but there may be a high proportion of infertile seed present.

Kangaroo Grass is a useful, tufting species for a rockery area. It is very hardy in most soils and prefers a sunny to semi-shade position. The species can withstand extended dry periods once established. A very useful cultivar known as ‘Mingo’ is especially attractive having a prostrate, spreading habit up to about 0.3 metres high with blue-grey foliage and rusty red/brown flower spikes.

Propagation can be carried out from seed but germination may be very slow. Division of established clumps is probably the more reliable method of propagation.