Family:
POACEAE
Aristida behriana
Pappus Grass
Other Names: Bunch Wiregrass, Emu Speargrass, Long-awned Wiregrass, Wiregrass, Brush Speargrass, Three-awned Grass
Regional Subspecies:
n/a
HABIT:
Short, tufted, tussocky perennial with simple erect stems to 40 cm high. Leaves mostly basal, smooth. Flowers mainly Oct-Jan.
HABITAT & SITE PREFERENCE:
Open woodland and grassland areas on red loamy or sandy loam soils. Also in Grey Box and Bimble Box communities on gravelly loams. Tolerates severe drought. Prefers 300 to 450 mm rainfall in the Riverina region.
SEED COLLECTION & PROPAGATION:
Collect mature seeds when they are pale or purplish and fall to the ground in a tangled mass. Propagate by division or from seed, though seed may be slow to germinate. Fast growth rate.
VALUES & USES:
Valuable as fodder during drought. Seeds are sharp and can damage animal hides and contaminate wool.