Austrostipa mollis R. Br., S.W.L. Jacobs & J Everett

Common name(s): Soft Spear Grass, Supple Spear Grass

Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) Subfamily: Pooideae Synonym(s): Stipa mollis R. Br., Stipa plagiopogon J.M. Black, Stipa semibarbata var. mollis R. Br., Benth.
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Bark
Bark
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Inflorescence
Inflorescence
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Fruit
Fruit
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Seed_scale_05
Seeds Scale 0.5mm
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: SF, SP, CS, CT, CC, ST, SC, CAN
  • SA: FR, EP, NL, SL, MU, YP, KI, SE
  • TAS: NW, ML, NE, EC
  • VIC: MM, LM, WI, WA, GR, RI, MI, VP, OP, OR, GP, PR, EG
  • WA: IR, DA, AV, CO, RO, EY
Plant Type
Grass , Herb-Perennial
Grass,
Herb-Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full
Sun - Full
Habitat Range(s)
Garden, Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Landscape, Mallee Vegetation, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry
Garden,
Grasslands,
Forest - Grassy,
Landscape,
Mallee Vegetation,
Open Woodlands,
Sclerophyll Forest - Dry
Habitat Zone(s)
Exposed Stony embankments, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Open areas, Ridges, Scattered, Varied, Well drained
Exposed Stony embankments,
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Heavy soils,
Open areas,
Ridges,
Scattered,
Varied,
Well drained
Mature Width
100-150mm
100-150mm
Plant Shape
Clump - Upright
Clump - Upright
Clump - Upright Clump - Upright
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Life Span
2-5yrs
2-5yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Green
Green
Colour (back)
Green
Green
Shape(s)
Linear
Linear
Linear Linear
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Hirsute
Hirsute
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Glabrous Glabrous,
Hirsute Hirsute,
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Leaf Length(s)
250-275mm
250-275mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Green
Green
Texture(s) Upper
Hairs-Dense
Hairs-Dense
Hairs-Dense Hairs-Dense
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
No Pith / Hollow
No Pith / Hollow
No Pith / Hollow No Pith / Hollow
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring Early - Summer Early
Flower Colour(s)
Green-purple
Green-purple
Aroma(s)
None
None
Fruit Properties
Type
Achenosum
Achenosum
Outer Colour(s)
Cream-white
Cream-white
Outer Texture
Fluffy
Fluffy
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand
Clay,
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Dry
Dry
Moist Moist,
Dry Dry
Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Poor,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
None
None
Bird Attraction
Seed
Seed
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Good
Good
Snow Tolerance
Medium
Medium
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Maintenance(s)
Dead Heading
Dead Heading
Special Purpose(s)
Groundcover, Irritating-Leaves, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Sunny Moist
Groundcover,
Irritating-Leaves,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Dry,
Sunny Moist

General Notes

A nice accent plant as a drift through open trees or full sun. Tips of florets can be sharp and penetrate peoples skin, pets and stock. 

Will easily colonize in overgrazed pasture areas.