Austrostipa rudis ssp. rudis
Veined Spear-grass
Spreading tufted perennial grass.
Additional information
- SynonymStipa rudis
- FamilyPoaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 40 cm high, stems to 1.3 m high
- Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
- LeavesRough, sometimes downy, flat, folded or inrolled leaves to 40 cm x 5 mm.
- Flower colourPurple or green, becoming straw-coloured
- Flowering timeNovember to February
- FlowersLoose flowerhead to 50 cm. Base of bracts below each floret straight, tip membranous, toothed. Floral bract to 10 mm, brown, rough, flat white to tawny hairs on lower half, tuft prominent; bristle twice bent, 3-6 cm, column twisted, 20-25 mm long.
- Bird attractingSeeds
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist to dry soils in open forests and woodlands. Frost tolerant. Full sun to dappled shade.
- Garden useDrift through trees or use as accent plants in garden beds. Tip of florets can be sharp, penetrating skin of people, pets and stock.
- Commercially availableIndigenous nursery
- Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
- Related speciesAustrostipa rudis ssp. nervosa is similar but smaller in all floral parts. The lower bract is firm and rounded on the tip. The floral bract is covered in hairs which extend to the top, the basal tuft is very small, the twisted column is less than 20 mm long.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1-3, 5 Marilyn Bull ©; 4 Peter Kinchington ©
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