Melinis repens (Willd.) Zitzka

Natal Grass, Redtop Grass

Synonym: Rhynchyletrum repens

Natural range: Old World

Habitat: Weedy

Florida status: One of the most invasive nuisance weed grasses in South Florida, including otherwise natural scrub habitats

Recognition: Open feathery reddish panicles are distinctive (but also consider M. minutiflora).

Melinis minutiflora differs from the similar and very abundant (invasive) Melinis repens by having sticky fragrant leaf sheaths, smaller spikelets (1.7-2.4 mm long vs. 2-5.7 mm), glabrous glumes, glabrous pedicels, and lower florets with no paleas.