Indicator value
Where dominant, kangaroo grass indicates good pasture condition. It is considered a desirable species in many pasture types. It is likely to decrease under heavy grazing during the wet season. The kangaroo grass pastures of Queensland have been grazed out and largely replaced by black speargrass, which has lower forage value. Degraded kangaroo grass pastures may never regenerate to the originally surveyed potential.
Forage value
Kangaroo grass is nutritious and palatable to livestock when it is young, but it becomes unpalatable when mature.
Habitat
Various alluvial soils, red soils.
General description
Kangaroo grass is a tall, erect perennial grass, 60–100cm tall with thin stems. The leaf blades are green and flat, up to 30cm long. The seedhead is very open with distinctive 'bird-like' seed sheaths hanging from slender stalks. It flowers from February to May.