Quizzical Spear-grass
Austrostipa stuposa
Tall tufted grass with flower stems to 1.2 m tall. Stem joints (nodes) are velvety hairy. Inrolled or flat leaf up to 40 cm long. Short hairy leaf-collar (ligule) Loose shortened seedheads 30 cm. Seeds are purplish or straw coloured, becoming dark reddish brown on maturity, and covered with golden or white hairs. Hairy bristle or awn.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Grasses |
| Former Scientific Name | Stipa stuposa |
| Distinctive Features | Hairy bristle or awn 45-70 mm long, bent twice. |
| Biology | Perennial. Range of soil types and habitats. 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 | Oct-Dec |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Austrostipa |
| Species | stuposa |
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 | A. stuposa is a variable species. Many features in common with A. mollis (hairy awn) or A. blackii. |
| Native Status | Native |