Image: Rytidosperma bipartitum plant1 NWS - Flickr - Macleay Grass Man

Description: Native yearlong-green perennial densely tufted C3 grass; stems grow to 70 cm tall. Leaf blades are flat to inrolled and nearly hairless, with tufts of hairs either side of the ligule. Flowerheads are contracted to open panicles. Spikelets are 6-flowered, pale green in early flowering, becoming pale and fluffy at maturity. Lemmas are 3-3.5 mm long (excluding lobes), 2-lobed and 1-awned, with hairs scattered uniformly on the back; lower portion of the awn is pale and reflexed (rarely twisted); paleas are narrow lanceolate, with a pointed tip. Flowers in spring and autumn. Found in grassland and open woodland, mainly on heavier and more fertile soils. Widespread and most common on the Slopes and Plains north of Dubbo; in the south of the region it is more common on the Plains and western edge of the Slopes. Native biodiversity. A valuable native pasture species, it produces moderate quantities of high quality feed. Most growth is in spring and early summer, but some green leaf can be produced year-round if there is adequate moisture. More common at sites with little evidence of grazing, it tends to decline as grazing pressure increases. Reduce stocking pressure or rest following good rains in spring or summer to aid seedling establishment and seed set.
Title: Rytidosperma bipartitum plant1 NWS - Flickr - Macleay Grass Man
Credit: Rytidosperma bipartitum plant1 NWS
Author: Harry Rose from Dungog, Australia
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
License: CC BY 2.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes