Common Tussock Grass

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©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) David Francis via natureshare.org.au

Poa labillardierei var. labillardieri


Large dense perennial tussock to 80 cm high, flowering stems to 1.5 m. Rough green or greyish-green flat to inrolled leaves to 80 cm, with pale green sheath. Much branched open seedheads to 25 cm made up of flattened groups of 3-4 green or purplish seedheads.


Details
Flora Type
Grasses
Other Common Names
Silver Tussock
Distinctive Features

Vigorous grass, very variable. Named after French botanist Jacques Julien Houtou de Labillardiere.

Biology

Perennial. River flats, plains, subalpine grassland, wet and dry forests. Various soils, damp to dry.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Oct-Feb

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

Probably the most common tussock-grass in Tas, occurring from sea-level to subalpine zone. Colour may change with seasons or age. The stem and leaves of some Poa species were used for making string by Aboriginal people. Important food source for birds and a range of insects.


Interesting Facts
Similar Species

When not flowering can be mistaken for the aggressive weed Serrated Tussock Nasella trichomota which is a yellowish-green colour.

Native Status
Native