Microlaena stipoides (Labill.) R.Br.

Taxonomic status:Accepted

Occurrence status:Present

Establishment means:Native

Brid, CVU, DunT, EGL, EGU, GipP, Glep, Gold, GGr, HFE, HNF, HSF, LoM, MonT, MuF, NIS, OtP, OtR, SnM, Strz, VAlp, VRiv, VVP, WaP, WPro, Wim.

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').

Only Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides is recognised in Victoria - see profile under that name.

Created by: Neville Walsh, 2016-03-02
Updated by: Neville Walsh, 2020-08-17
Hero image
Distribution map
life Life
kingdom Plantae
phylum Tracheophyta
superorder Lilianae
order Poales
family Poaceae
genus Microlaena
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa

Victoria

Source: AVH (2014). Australia's Virtual Herbarium, Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, <http://avh.chah.org.au>. Find Microlaena stipoides in AVH ; Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, © The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries (published Dec. 2014) Find Microlaena stipoides in Victorian Biodiversity Atlas
  Bioregion Occurrence status Establishment means
Lowan Mallee present native
Wimmera present native
Glenelg Plain present native
Bridgewater present native
Victorian Volcanic Plain present native
Victorian Riverina present native
Murray Fans present native
Gippsland Plain present native
Otway Plain present native
Warrnambool Plain present native
Goldfields present native
Central Victorian Uplands present native
Greater Grampians present native
Dundas Tablelands present native
Northern Inland Slopes present native
East Gippsland Lowlands present native
East Gippsland Uplands present native
Wilsons Promontory present native
Highlands-Southern Fall present native
Highlands-Northern Fall present native
Otway Ranges present native
Strzelecki Ranges present native
Monaro Tablelands present native
Highlands-Far East present native
Victorian Alps present native
Snowy Mountains present native

State distribution

Distribution map
State
Western Australia
South Australia
Queensland
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Victoria
Tasmania