Family:
Poaceae
Aristida jerichoensis
No. 9 Wire Grass
Other Names: Jericho Wiregrass, Blue Speargrass, Number Nine
Regional Subspecies:
Aristida jerichoensis var. jerichoensis; A. j. var. subspinulifera
Occurrence:
Habit:
Tufted perennial with stem erect to 60 cm high. Leaves mostly basal. Flowers (Oct-Feb) are slender to about 12 cm long, and seeds have three awns.
Habitat & Site Selection:
Often in woodland communities on gravelly loam, clay loam and sandy loam soils. Sometimes found on deep sandy soils on sandplains. Tolerates severe drought. Prefers 300 to 500 mm rainfall in the Riverina region.
Seed Collection and Propagation:
Mature seeds are pale or purplish, and fall to the ground in a tangled mass. Propagate by division or from seed. Seed may be slow to germinate. Fast growth rate.
Values and Uses:
Not valuable as fodder except during drought. Seeds are sharp, damage animal hides and contaminate wool.