Two varieties are recognised. Microlaena stipoides var. breviseta is apparently confined to central eastern New South Wales and differs in the much shorter awns on the sterile lemmas. As well as this formally recognised entity, a number of forms have been identified differing in stature, hairiness, ripe spikelet colour, protein content when used as forage etc. One selection has been bred as a grain for human consumption (marketed as 'Alpine Rice').
