Squirrel-tail Fescue

Squirrel-tail Fescue

Squirrel-tail Fescue

Vulpia bromoides


Annual. Plants are usually short-lived, with a weak root system. They are easily pulled out. Grows particularly in soils of lower fertility. 


Details Description
Type
Graminoid
Group
Grass
Identifying Characteristics

Loosely tufted grass with stems to 60 cm tall. Leaves narrow, smooth and finely pointed, up to 14 cm long and 0.5-3 mm wide. The seed head is narrow and one-sided with many seeds that have a straight terminal bristle (awn) up to 14 mm long. Flowers September-January.

Distinctive Features

Dense seed heads at the top of tall stems.

Life Form Group
Graminoid
Life Form Codes
Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid (MTG)
EVC types
EVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_62: Lighter-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_63: Low-rainfall Plains Grassland
EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_63: Higher Rainfall Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 649: Stony Knoll Shrubland
EVC 803: Plains Woodland
Native Status
Introduced
Weed Status Invasiveness
High INVASIVE
Weed Status Impact
Low IMPACT
Taxonomy
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Equisetopsida
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Vulpia
Species
bromoides
Squirrel-tail Fescue
Found mainly in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania but also occurs in South Australia, south-west Western Australia and southern Queensland. Native to Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor.

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.