Austrostipa densiflora
(Hughes) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.EverettTufted perennial, culms erect, to 1.5 m high, nodes densely pubescent. Leaves pubescent; blade inrolled to flat, to 45 cm long and 5 mm broad; ligule ciliate 0.5–4 mm long. Inflorescence a dense contracted panicle to 30 cm long. Glumes 13–18 mm long, purplish or green, acuminate, shortly pubescent between the nerves, the lower 1–3 mm longer than upper; lemma 5.5–7 mm long, brown at maturity, scabrous, with spreading white to golden hairs, lacking from apical area; callus 1.2–1.8 mm long; awn twice bent, 30–45 mm long, 10–13 mm to the first bend, column plumose with hairs 0.5–1.5 mm long; palea about equal to lemma, with a line of hairs down the centre. Flowers Oct.–Dec.
MuM, Wim, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Also SA, Qld, NSW, ACT. Except for the far west, widespread through the state. Occurs almost exclusively amongst rocks or on very shallow soil overlying rock, and most common in drier elevated sites.
Although Willis (1970) included Austrostipa densiflora (as Stipa) in his concept of A. semibarbata, the morphological and ecological differences between these two entities (and the very similar A. mollis) are consistent enough to maintain them as distinct species.
Walsh, N.G. (1994). Poaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 356–627. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
