A tufted, perennial grass commonly seen in eucalypt woodlands and open forest situations. The flowering period from January onwards produces characteristic tangled masses of brown-black, awned seeds.

Black Spear Grass has proven to germinate and develop on rehabilitation sites even where high salinity prevails. Combined with its widespread distribution and its adaption to diverse soil types this infers its high suitability to rehabilitation work. However uptake in such work has been hampered with problems associated with processing and spreading the seed. These problems can be overcome once planners understand the reasons to persist with the species.

The Eucalypt species most commonly in association with H.contortus in Queensland are Eucalyptus melanophloia, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus crebra and the bloodwood, Corymbia tessellaris.

http://ausgrass2.myspecies.info/content/heteropogon-contortus

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/rangelands/publications-and-information/grassedup/species/speargrass

Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1989). Flora of South Eastern Queensland, Vol. 3, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.