Plume Grass

Images ©:
©Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0, Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0, Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0

Dichelachne inaequiglumis


Fine tufted grass to 70 cm tall, with plume-like flowering stems. Flat hairless leaves to 15 cm long with prominently ribbed upper surface and rough margins. Loose fluffy seedheads green or purplish to 25 cm long.


Details
Flora Type
Grasses
Identifying Characteristics

Flowerheads are contracted to rather loose panicles (6-23 cm long)

Distinctive Features

Fine and delicate. Wavy fine bristles on seeds (awns) not twisted as in other species.

Biology

Perennial. Grows on granite or basaltic soils in woodland, wet sclerophyll forest and swamp areas. Also NZ.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Nov-Mar

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

From the Greek dichelos = spilt, achne = chaff, referring to the characteristic split in the bract enclosing the flower (lemma).


Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Variable species confused with D. micrantha and D. rara.

Native Status
Native