Rytidosperma pilosum
Velvet Wallaby-grass
Loosely tufted perennial grass.
Additional information
- SynonymAustrodanthonia pilosa, Danthonia pilosa
- FamilyPoaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 20 cm x 30 cm, stems to 0.5 m high
- Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
- LeavesFine, hairy, flat, folded or inrolled leaves to 15 cm x 2 mm.
- Flower colourPale, green to purplish
- Flowering timeNovember to February
- FlowersOblong, usually compact flowerheads 2-8 cm long. Crowded overlapping 5-9-flowered spikelets. Upper hairs on lower floral bract - 2 small central tufts, larger marginal tufts, lower row short & sparse. Central bristle stout, strongly twisted.
- Bird attractingSeeds
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist to dry soils in dryish forests. Dappled and semi shade.
- Garden useUnderplanting with other grasses and small shrubs.
- Commercially availableRarely
- Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
- Related speciesSimilar to Rytidosperma penicillatum which generally has a more slender flowerhead. Base of the central bristle is finer, shorter and less strongly twisted. The tip of the upper floral bract extends beyond the gap between lobes of lower floral bract.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 2, 4, 5 Marilyn Bull ©; 3 Peter Kinchington, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©
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