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Scientific Name
Themeda triandra
Family Name
POACEAE (GRAMINEAE)
Common Name
Kangaroo Grass
Status
Height
1.2m (120cm)
Flowers
Stalked clusters of green and purple spikelets with long purple bracts, rustybrown when ripe.
Fruit
Grains
Form
Deep rooted tussocky perennial grass.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Tamar
Communities
Grassy Vegetation; Montane Vegetation; Along roadsides
Habitat Notes
May be seen in large patches along roadsides and in openings in the forest where the stocking rate is low, sea level to montane.
Site Tolerance
Dry; Exposed; Moist
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Loam; Poor; Well-drained
General Notes
To direct seed lay the seed-bearing stalks thickly during late summer / early autumn. Over winter the seed work their way into the soil. Burn the remaining stalk material in spring and the seedlings should emerge. Herbicides may be needed in weed-infested areas. Provides moderate forage value, and a useful green 'pick' after summer rainfall. Valuable for stock fodder when other more palatable grasses have been consumed. It does not persist well under heavy grazing and has been out-competed by other grasses, many introduced, especially with increased soil fertility levels.Seed are food for finches and parrots.Provide habitat for ground dwelling animals skinks frogs, insects and mammals. Koori (mainland) use: Leaves and stems were used to make string for fishing nets., sometimes used in basket weaving (modern). 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
Fertile spikelets have long twisting awns, but only one produces a grain. seed is dropped soon after maturity. if seed is released with gentle pressure when the awn is pulled they are mature. dry in paper bags
Seed Treatment Method
Standard
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Storage for 1 month (Ralph) or 6-11 months (Stelling) may be needed to overcome dormancy, although seed from S.E. Australia usually has low dormancy. For direct seeding method see General Notes.
Germination Time
2-4 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
By division in spring when the plant has resumed growing, after a period of winter dormancy.
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Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith