Mission Grass/Crab Grass (Setaria parviflora [Syn: Pennisetum polystachion])

Native plant of tropical Africa. Introduced to Sri Lanka as an ornamental grass. Escaped and naturalized along roadsides, cultivated lands, fallow fields, etc. from sea level to about 1100 m a.s.l. It has become an invasive weed of forests and plantations. 

ලෙව්[Lev]/Bareet Grass (Leersia hexandra)

An indigenous grass species common in marshes, ponds and paddy fields throughout the island. Serious weed in paddy fields though used as a fodder for cattle.

බැල තණ/වල්මල් කුරක්කන්[Bela Tana/Walmal Kurakkan]/Goose Grass(Eleusine indica)

Common indigenous annual or short-lived perennial widely distributed in both wet and dry zones up to about 1400 m elevations.  Often a weed of cultivation. Also occurring in tea estates, lawns, gardens, waste areas, roadsides as well as lowland jungles. 

Sacciolepis interrupta

Common native grass species occurs in paddy fields, marshes and shallow lakes from low to medium elevations. It is eaten by cattle. 

බටදැල්ල[Batadhalla] (Isachne globosa)

Common native annual or short-lived perennial grass species grows in marshy habitats, rice fields, stream banks and ditches from sea level to 1800 m a.s.l. Troublesome weed of  paddy fields though use as a fodder for cattle. 

බද මල් තණ[Bada Mal Tana] (Ischaemum muticum)

An indigenous perennial occurs mainly near sea level on beaches, sandy shores and coconut plantations. An endemic variety srilankense is known only from two collections made in a single population from Pallugaturai of Puttalam district.

ගිරා තණ/හීන් මාරතු[Heen Marathu/Gira Thana]/Wild Millet (Echinochloa colonum)

Common native tufted annual widely distributed often in or near water as weed of paddy fields and disturbed grounds from sea level to 1300 m a.s.l. in all three climatic zones. The grass including seed is readily eaten by cattle. The grain is used as food in India by poorer classes and in Myanmar in times of scarcity. 

මයුර තණ[Mayura Tana] (Chloris barbata)

An indigenous grass occurs in the low country, mainly in the dry zone. A weed of waste places, coastal areas, abandoned cultivation, etc.

තුත්තිරි[Tuttiri]/Love Grass (Chrysopogon aciculatus)

Very common native prostrate perennial occurs along roadsides, grasslands, waste places, lawns, etc. from sea level to about 1300m elevations. 

Lophatherum gracile

Erect indigenous perennial restricted to the southwestern wet zone forest undergrowth.  

පුටු තණ[Putu Tana]/Egyptian crowfoot grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium)

Common weed of dry and arid low country. Also extends to about 500 m elevations from sea level in the wet zone. It occurs waste grounds, cultivation, open grasslands and sandy soils near sea. 

ඉලුක්[Illuk]/Blady Grass/Spear Grass/Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica)

An introduced perennial weed grows in coastal areas, sand dunes, open places, roadsides, waste lands,  agricultural fields, ditch banks, etc. from sea level to about 1200 m asl. It is ranked as one of the 10 worst invasive weeds of the world. Spear Grass usually flowering after stress such as drought, burning and cutting. The seeds disperse by the wind and remain viable for over one year. 

Scrotochloa urceolata [Syn: Leptaspis urceolata]

Rather uncommon indigenous perennial occurs in low country to mid hill forests.