Dichelachne rara
Plume-grass
Open tufted perennial grass. Flowering stems generally smooth but can be rough or downy. A variable species, often confused or intermediate with other species.
Additional information
- FamilyPoaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 15 cm high, stems to 0.7 m high
- Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
- LeavesFlat, rough, sometimes downy leaves to 15 cm x 1-3 mm.
- Flower colourGreen, becoming straw-coloured
- Flowering timeOctober to February
- FlowersDense, shortly branched erect flowerhead 5-15 cm long. 1-flowered spikelets; lower bracts 1-ribbed ending in fine point, longer than 2-lobed lower floral bract, bristle just below tip, bent, twisted at base, hairless to finely hairy.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist to dry well drained soils in grassy woodlands and heathy forest. Full sun, semi shade.
- Garden useAttractive grass for planting in drifts under trees or in rockeries.
- Commercially availableIndigenous nursery
- Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
- Related speciesD. rara has been confused with other species such as Dichelachne sieberiana which may occur in the Shire. Both are difficult to separate. In the latter the flowerhead droops, floral bracts are longer and rougher, the bristle is twice bent, thicker and strongly twisted at the base. It is unlikely that Dichelachne crinita occurs in the Shire.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Neil Blair, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 2-6 Marilyn Bull ©
Plant Communities