Knotty Spear-grass

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Austrostipa nodosa


Loosely tufted grass to 1 m tall, with stout erect flowering stems. Flat or inrolled leaves are coarse, rough to the touch, to 30 cm long. Short hairy leaf-collar (ligule) often bordered by a tuft of leaves but rarely with a thickened ear-like projection (auricle). Slender sparse seedheads to 30 cm. Seeds are purplish, drying to golden brown and lightly covered with short white hairs, and a curved sickle-shaped bristle or awn 45-90 mm long.


Details
Flora Type
Grasses
Former Scientific Name
Stipa nodosa
Distinctive Features

Leaf nodes much wider than stems. Generally sparse inflorescence which is purplish in colour.

Biology

Perennial. Highly drought-tolerant. Occurs mostly in dry country on water-retentive and fertile soils. Preferential grazing of other grasses can lead to flowering and seeding of Spear-grass and their long awns (bristles) can work their way into the skin, mouths and eyes of stock, and contaminate wool.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Aug-Oct

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Austrostipa
Species
nodosa

Seed coloration and hairiness as well as the awns (bristles on seeds) are important identification features for Spear-grass species. A food source for seed-eating birds including finches. Also attracts moths and butterflies.


Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Similar to the co-occurring Austrostipa scabra.

Native Status
Native