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
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Bark
Bark
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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
Cross Section(s)
Inrolled
Inrolled
Inrolled Inrolled
Venation(s)
Parallel Multicostate Convergent
Parallel Multicostate Convergent
Parallel Multicostate Convergent Parallel Multicostate Convergent
Arrangement
Basal or Radial
Basal or Radial
Basal or Radial Basal or Radial
Apice(s)
Acuminate Narrow
Acuminate Narrow
Acuminate Narrow Acuminate Narrow
Base(s)
Clasping
Clasping
Clasping Clasping
Attachment
Ligule Membranous
Ligule Membranous
Ligule Membranous Ligule Membranous
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
Flower Size(s) Width
20-25mm
20-25mm
Aroma(s)
None
None
Fruit Properties
Type
Achenosum
Achenosum
Outer Colour(s)
Cream-white
Cream-white
Outer Texture
Fluffy
Fluffy
Length
10-15mm
10-15mm
Seed Properties
Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
Shape(s)
Acicular
Acicular
Acicular Acicular
Texture(s)
Hairy
Hairy
Seed Length
1-2mm
1-2mm
Seed Number
Many
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Texture
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Pliable
Pliable
Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
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
Wood Density
N/A
N/A
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Regeneration(s)
Seed
Seed
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Good
Good
Snow Tolerance
Medium
Medium
Smog Tolerant
Good
Good
Indigenous Use(s)
None
None
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Street Use
None
None
Commercial Use(s)
None
None
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
Propagation
Aged Seed

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.

Propagation Notes

Aged Seed
Flowering
Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Seed Collecting
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Sowing
Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Material Preparation

Collect when fruiting head has turned light brown. Store in a cool dark place for 6 -12 months for an after opening period before sowing. Seed will remain viable for several years.

Viability:-

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow seed, cover very lightly with mix, or even just surface sow, sprinkle with fine gravel to stop the seed blowing away, as soon as the seed is watered in the awns will start screwing themselves into the mix, keep moist, place outside. Optimum temperature 15 – 25°C.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:-  2 - 10 weeks

Pricking out:-           5 – 14 weeks into tubes

Tube Mix:-                Premium Potting Mix 

                                2 parts Premium Potting Mix (to retain moisture) x 1 part washed sand

Notes

Seed sourced from drier areas requires a longer after ripening period, 12 - 24 months, probably due to varied rainfall within those areas.

For direct seeding, sow from late Autumn - mid Winter in low rainfall areas and early Spring in higher rainfall areas.