Clustered Wallaby-grass

Images ©:
©Michael Bedingfield via natureshare.org.au (CC BY 2.5 AU), Michael Bedingfield via natureshare.org.au (CC BY 2.5 AU), Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0

Rytidosperma racemosum

Variable grass ranging from slender tufts to a dense tussock. Erect perennial grass 20-60 cm tall with tightly inrolled or flat fine light green leaves up to 20 cm long and 3 mm wide. Long narrow seedheads (5-11 cm) with pale green or straw-colored flowers. Distinct ring of hairs where the leaf sheath meets the leaf blade (ligule or collar hairs).

Details
Flora Type
Grasses
Former Scientific Name
Rytidosperma racemosum var. racemosum, Danthonia racemose, Notodanthonia racemosa
Biology

Perennial. Dry to moist well drained soils.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Flowers most of the year, peaking Dec-Feb
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Rytidosperma
Species
racemosum

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Co-occurs with a range of related species and Microlaena stipoides. Rytidosperma species are moderately important fodder grasses with 10-25% crude protein when green, and moderate to high digestibility. Good native lawn species.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native