Tufted or shortly rhizomatous perennial. Culms to 30 cm high, rarely more. Leaves glabrous; blade smooth, rigid and typically abruptly bent backwards above the erect sheath, to 10 cm long and 1.5 mm diam. Panicle compact, linear to oblong, 3–7 cm long. Spikelets often purplish, 5–6-flowered; glumes subequal, acute, 8–12 mm long; lemma 2.5–3.5 mm long, with hairs reduced to marginal and callus tufts; lateral lobes erect, 3–5 mm long, shortly awned at apex; central awn exceeding lateral lobes by 3–5 mm; palea oblanceolate, exceeding sinus by c. 2 mm and approaching the setiform part of lateral lobes. Flowers Dec.–Mar.
EGL, HSF, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Also NSW, ACT, Tas. A common component of damp grassland and heathland communities in the alps, but occupying drier sites than closely related Rytidosperma nivicola.
Source:
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.
