906B-1-Austrostipa-scabra-ssp.-falcata-hab-Colleen-Miller.jpg

Austrostipa scabra ssp. falcata

Rough Spear-grass

Tufted perennial grass with erect flowering stems.

Additional information

  • SynonymStipa scabra ssp. falcata
  • FamilyPoaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Sizeto 15 cm high, stems to 60 cm high
  • Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
  • LeavesSmooth or rough, strongly folded or inrolled leaves to 15 cm x less than 1 mm. Opening of leaf sheath fringed with hairs.
  • Flower colourPurplish, becoming straw-coloured
  • Flowering timeAugust to December
  • FlowersSparse spreading flowerhead to 30 cm. Tip of bracts below each floret tapering to pointed. Floral bract to 6.5 mm, golden brown, smooth, with densish short white hairs; bristle sickle-shaped, 40-70 mm long, column straight to 8 mm.
  • Bird attractingSeeds
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsLight well drained clay loam soils in foothill forests. Semi shade.
  • Garden useA graceful small grass for underplanting trees or for use in rockeries.
  • Commercially availableRarely
  • Conservation statusUnknown status. There may be some rare occurrences within the Shire.
Photographer/s: 1 Colleen Miller ©; 2 D. Kelly ©, Australian National Botanic Gardens; 3, 6 Marilyn Bull ©; 4,5 Peter Kinchington ©

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