The information here has been provided by Una Bell as part of a workshop conducted for our weeding team on 24 September 2024. Una is widely respected for her knowledge of Western Australia’s native grasses. There are 10 native grasses identified in Jirdarup and 19 introduced species. The 10 native species are listed below.
There are 106 genera of grasses in the South-West
- Of these, there are 33 genera of native grasses (32%)
- 57 genera of introduced grasses (53%)
- 16 mixed genera, contain introduced and native grasses (15%)
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There are about 322 species of grasses in the South-West
- Of these, there are 155 native grasses (48%)
- And 167 species of introduced grasses (52%)
Our native grasses are under threat from introduced invasive grasses such as Fountain Grass (*Cenchrussetaceus), African Veld Grass (*Ehrharta calycina), African Lovegrass (*Eragrostiscurvula), Tambookie Grass (*Hyparrheniahirta)….etc.
Native grasses found in Jirdarup
Amphipogon
- Amphipogon amphipogonoides Little Amphipogon. Perennial native grass, winter active, understorey.
- Amphipogon amphipogonoides. Seedhead with floret. Florets have 5 lobes.
- Amphipogon turbinatus. Top Greybeard Grass. Perennial, winter active, sandy soils. Seedhead is top-shaped (turbinate).
Austrostipa (Speargrass, Stipa)
- Austro from Latin australis meaning southern. Stipa is from Greek for tow or hemp, from esparto grasses found in Spain and north Africa and used for making paper or rope. Awn comes directly from the end of the lemma.
- There are 43 species in 11 subgenera groups in the South-West. Most are perennial, all are winter active, two are annual
- Stipa often have a sharp point (callus) on the end of the lemma.
- Austrostipa compressa, Compact Needlegrass. Annual. Very long awns. Short basal tuft of leaves. Often comes up after a fire.
- Austrostipa elegantissima, Feather Speargrass. Perennial clump, to 2 m often comes up through other shrubs. Large feathery panicle detaches when mature.
- Austrostipa elegantissima, has feathery panicle branches, open bracts are the glumes – these are the outer bracts of the spikelet. Lemma and palea are the inner bracts.
- Austrostipa flavescens. Yellow Stipa. Perennial, winter active from a short tuft of leaves.
- Austrostipa hemipogon. Half-Bearded Stipa. Perennial, has twice bent hairy awns. It is one of four species in the same subgenera group.
- Austrostipa mollis. Soft Stipa Perennial, same subgenera group as A. hemipogon, and very similar. Lemma has a long awn from apex, awn twice bent, twisted column, with hairs along one side.
Neurachne
- Neurachne alopecuroidea. Foxtail Mulga Grass. Perennial low clumps,. n flower with stamens and stigmas exposed. Grass flowers don’t have petals. Many are wind pollinated.
- Neurachne alopecuroidea. Mature seedheads with spikelets. Mature spikelets are essential for grass ID.
Wallaby Grass
Wallaby Grass: Rytidosperma. Rytid means wrinkly, sperma means seed. Misnamed from the lavae of a grub mistaken for the seed. Rytidosperma do not have wrinkly seeds. ´Formerly known as Danthonia, then Austrodanthonia. There are 9 species of Wallaby Grass in the South-West. Important native pasture grass across southern Australia. Perennial clumps, winter active.
- Rytidosperma caespitosum. Common Wallaby Grass. Have more than 3 florets per spikelet. Hairs at ligule often in a circle around the stem. Green when fresh, mature to straw colour. Seed heads remain on plant over summer. An other common name is Whitetop.
- Rytidosperma caespitosum. Common Wallaby Grass. Have long thin glumes containing several florets, each with a long bent awn.
- Rytidosperma occidentale. Western Wallaby Grass. Only grows in the South-West. Grows in sand, understory to Banksia woodland.
