Austrostipa nodosa

Usually a loosely tufted perennial, culms firm and rather stout, erect, to 120 cm high, nodes apparent, glabrous but sometimes shortly scabrous just below node. Leaves scabrous or pubescent; blade flat or slightly (rarely strongly) inrolled to 30 cm long, 1–2 mm broad, usually rather stiff; ligule ciliate, 0.5–1.5 mm long, often bordered by a tuft of hairs but usually lacking auricular lobes. Inflorescence a slender, rather sparse panicle to 50 cm long, the base of the panicle usually exserted beyond uppermost leaf-sheath. Glumes 10–15 mm long, usually remaining purplish until after lemma falls, acuminate or acute, subequal or the lower up to 2 mm longer than upper; lemma 4–7 mm long, golden brown at maturity, smooth, with sparse, short white or yellowish hairs; callus 1–3 mm long; awn falcate, 45–90 mm long, the straight part 5–12 mm long, finely scabrous or shortly pubescent; palea slightly shorter than or equal to lemma, with a sparse line of hairs down the centre. Flowers Aug.–Oct.