Family:

Poaceae

Rytidosperma pallida

Red-anther Wallaby Grass

(syn. Joycea pallida; Rytidosperma pallida; Chionochloa pallida)

Other Names: Silvertop Wallaby Grass

First Nations Name(s):

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Predominantly east of the Hume Highway

Habitat & Site Selection:

Generally upland areas of low fertility acid soils.

Habit:

Robust, coarse, perennial tussock grass to 1.2 m high. Attractive red-anther flowers, spring-summer.

Seed Collection:

Early to late Dec. Monitor closely as mature seeds shed in 3-14 days

Propagation:

From seed. Store for 4 months before sowing, due to after-ripening period. Smoke treatment enhances germination.

VALUES:

Land Protection:

Catchment and slope protection, and shelter.

Other:

Valuable summer grazing.