September 25, 2016


Romantic Grass of the Week: Rytidosperma pallida (Red Anther Wallaby Grass) formerly Joycea pallida. A tussock grass often just sold as wallaby grass. Dominant in understorey, Black Mountain, ACT, NSW and VIC. Prefers shallow, stony soil an indicator of infertile soil. Spikes with panicles grow much taller than the tussock, Flowers from November to January and seeds have distinctive prominent orange-red coloured anthers from awn 7-17mm long, twisted at base. Tufted perennial with inrolled bristly pale blue-green leaves, gets straw-y after a few years, ligule fringed. Spreading panicle often purplish up to 35cm long.