Supple Spear-grass

Supple Spear-grass

Supple Spear-grass

Austrostipa mollis

Perennial. The developing seeds are eaten by native finches and sparrows. Sheep preferentially graze the more nutritious Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra, leaving the tougher Spear-grasses to grow and dominate the vegetation. Mowing nature reserves, roadsides and railsides can cause the same effect. The seeds of Spear-grasses have long awns (bristles) that can work their way into the skin, mouths and eyes of stock, and contaminate wool. 

Details Description
Type
Graminoid
Group
Grass
Identifying Characteristics

Erect tufted grass that can grow to 1.5 m high. Leaves limp, downy, tightly inrolled, up to 30 cm long, 1-3 mm wide. Flower stems erect and dense, to 30 cm long. Awns (bristles) 6-10cm long, twice bent. Flowers October-January.
Distinctive Features

The seed's awn (long bristle at the top) is tightly coiled, feathery and appears to spiral.
Life Form Group
Graminoid
Life Form Codes
Large Tufted Graminoid (LTG)
EVC types
EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_63: Higher Rainfall Plains Grassy Woodland
Native Status
Native to Australia
Taxonomy
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Equisetopsida
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Austrostipa
Species
mollis
Supple Spear-grass
Widespread in Victoria and southern New South Wales and South Australia. Also occurs in south-west Western Australia and Tasmania.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Endangered Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.