Slender Spear-grass

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©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Chris Lindorff via natureshare.org.au

Austrostipa scabra subsp. falcata

Slender tussock with erect stems to 50 cm tall. Slender tufted grass with flower stems to 60 cm tall. Fine leaves strongly inrolled up to 30 cm long. Short hairy leaf-collar (ligule). Seedheads to 30 cm with base often hidden by a leaf-sheath. Seeds are purplish then golden brown on maturity, and covered with white hairs. Bristle or awn sickle-shaped (falcate).

Details
Flora Type
Grasses
Former Scientific Name
Stipa scabra subsp. falcata, Stipa falcata
Distinctive Features

Opening of leaf-sheath is conspicuously hairy. Leaves <15 cm long and are fine and whispy.
Biology

Perennial. Colonizes disturbed soil very readily. Prolific seed set is to be expected in the first 3 years.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Sep-Dec
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Austrostipa
Species
scabra

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

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

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Native Status
Native