Rytidosperma lepidopodum
Wallaby-grass
Slender tufted perennial grass with long scaly underground stems.
Additional information
- SynonymJoycea lepidopoda, Danthonia lepidopoda
- FamilyPoaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 15 cm high, stems to 0.6 m high
- Plant groupingGrasses, Rushes & Sedges
- LeavesHairless to slightly hairy flat or channelled leaf to 15 cm x 2 mm. Inrolled when dry.
- Flower colourPurplish
- Flowering timeNovember to March
- FlowersSparse, narrowly oval flowerhead to 8 cm with few 3-4-flowered spikelets. Lower floral bract evenly covered in hairs, erect, tapering lobes lack bristles; central bristle weakly twisted at base; upper bract as high as lobe tips.
- Bird attractingSeeds
- Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsSandy soils in heathy woodland. Semi shade.
- Garden useUnderplant amongst herbs in light soil.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from one location where it is not common. Victorian endemic.
- Related speciesR. lepidopodum is now believed to be a naturally occurring hybrid between R. pallidum and R. laeve.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 George Stolfo, Flora of Melbourne ©; 2 Peter Kinchington, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©
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