Cynodon dactylonCommon name: Couch
Meaning of name: Cynodon is from the Greek words cyno, meaning dog, and odontos, meaning tooth. Dactylon is from the Greek word dactylos meaning finger, referring to the finger-like flower spike.
Distribution: Occurs throughout Australia.
Remarks: A prostrate perennial commonly used as a lawn grass. The purplish flowers are produced in late spring and summer. It is native to the Kimberley and tropics worldwide. Grazing stock has died after eating large quantities of young couch, as these are high in cyanide.
References: Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.
Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.
Description and key to the identification of Grasses in South-Western Australia. JG Paterson. 1992.
The same traits that make Couch grass a tough lawn also make it a difficult weed to deal with in the bushland.
This is the flower of Cynodon dactylon.
