POACEAE (GRAMINEAE)

Silver Tussockgrass

 

80cm 

Very small flowers borne in spikes. Flowering stems up to 1.2m high. 

Grains 

Perennial grass with green to blue-green leaves rolled into a tube, forming dense tussocks. Can grow to only 20cm in subalpine areas and coastal sands. 

Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

 

Widespread and abundant, favours damp situations. 

 

 

 

Propagates easily from seed, or by division of large plants throughout the year. Very hardy, and tolerant of drought, but enjoys ample water. Cut back or burn in autumn or every couple of years to promote new growth. Attracts seed-eating birds and provides cover for small lizards. Self-seeds vigorously in the garden. An important habitat and foodplant for the vulnerable and endemic Ptunarra Brown Butterfly (Oreixenica ptunarra) in the southern Midlands. 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 harden and change from green to light brown or beige. 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. 

 

 

 

 

1 week 

Yes 

 

autumn/winter 

Yes