A perennial threeawn grass to 80cm.

"A. caput-medusae has very distinctive morphological facies, including a knotty rootstock, fastigiately branching culms and a small uniquely shaped panicle, ovate in outline, resembling the head of the Medusa of Greek mythology, from which it derives its name." (Simon, B.K. & Alfonso, Y. 2011. Ausgrass2)

Often associated with Corymbia citriodora and Allocasuarina leuhmannii on poorer sandy or gravelly soils and on laterite.

We have observed A. caput-medusae germinating well on mine spoils.

Simon, B.K. & Alfonso, Y. 2011. Ausgrass2, http://ausgrass.myspecies.info/ [Accessed on 28th Sept 2019].

http://ausgrass2.myspecies.info/content/aristida-caput-medusae

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