POACEAE (GRAMINEAE)

Gunn's Snowgrass

 

6-70cm 

Flowerhead 1.5-8cm long, bearing green or purplish spikelets. 

Grains 

Very variable, smooth, tufted perennial grass, with inrolled or folded leaves up to 30cm long, and smooth, slender stems. 

Break O'Day; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast 

 

Tasmanian endemic. Common in subalpine habitats from 800-1400m altitude, but extending to near sea level in the south of the State. 

 

 

 

Propagates easily from seed, or by division of large plants. Cut back in autumn to promote new growth. Attracts seed-eating birds and provides cover for small lizards. An important habitat and foodplant for the vulnerable and endemic Ptunarra Brown Butterfly (Oreixenica ptunarra) in the Central Highlands. The female butterflies drop their eggs as they fly over the tussocks; after these hatch, the small caterpillars over-winter and begin feeding on the tips of the tussock in spring. Suitable below powerlines. 

Small, in tall, finely branched seedheads. As seed matures, seedheads change from green to light brown. Seed is released within 3-14 days of seed maturity. When the seed is ripe, it will fall when the seedheads are rubbed between your fingers. Cut stalks with secateurs to collect. 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes 

 

 

Yes