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Scientific Name
Austrodanthonia caespitosa
Family Name
POACEAE (GRAMINEAE)
Common Name
Common Wallaby-grass
Status
Height
0.2m - 0.9m (20-90cm)
Flowers
Spikelets 4-7-9 flowered, green or tinged purple, bracts exceeding florets except for exerted awns.
Fruit
Grains
Form
Perennial grass forming clumps or tussocks.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Brighton; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman
Communities
Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Grassy Vegetation
Habitat Notes
Widespread in open situations or light woodland in lowland areas and up to about1000m.Drought tolerant.
Site Tolerance
Dry; Exposed; Moist
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Loam; Poor; Well-drained
General Notes
Rejuvenation occurs after burning, especially if followed by heavy rain . Wallaby-grass species are amongst the most valued native grasses in pastoral areas of Australia, due to their persistence palatability and productivity. They produce high quality forage in winter and withstand seasonal grazing. Heavy grazing, however, prevents flowering and damages tussocks, allowing an increase of exotic annual species in the pasture. Light grazing in spring and summer (after seed production) is possible. Cannot compete w ith exotic pasture species and slowly dies out in these situations, responds well to increased soil fertility levels. It provides valuable green pick after summer rains. Attracts seed-eating birds and tussocks provide habitat for native ground-dwelling reptiles. Has been known to spread well with occasional mowing. Suitable below powerlines.
Propagation Details
Propagation Calendar
Flowering Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sowing Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cutting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Seedheads turn from green to off-white and dry out as seed ripens. should release from heads easily. harvest by cutting stalks with secateurs. rub heads between 2 rubber car mats to extract seed. clean by sieving
Seed Treatment Method
Surface sow
Seed Storage Life
Long
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Some provenances, especially from inland areas may have 2-4 months dormancy. Seed is best sown on the surface of seed trays and covered lightly.Most species have best results between 15-25oC. Some Danthonia germinate quite quickly if sown as soon as ripe.
Germination Time
2-3 weeks
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Yes
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
Yes
Cutting Notes
Also from transplants.
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Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith