SafePlants

Austrostipa (Speargrass)

Austrostipa is a genus of grasses primarily found in Australia, encompassing many species previously classified under the genus Stipa. These grasses are commonly known as speargrasses.

Considerations for Pets

• Several species are referred to as "Spear Grass" and can be "prickly," suggesting potential for physical irritation.

Considerations for Children

• Several species are referred to as "Spear Grass" and can be "prickly," suggesting potential for physical irritation.

Scientific Name

• Accepted Scientific Name: Austrostipa S.W.L.Jacobs &amp J.Everett
• Common Name: Speargrass
• Other species of Austrostipa include:
  • Austrostipa stipoides (Prickly Spear-grass or Coast Spear-grass)
  • Austrostipa elegantissima
  • Austrostipa densiflora (Foxtail spear grass)
  • Austrostipa bigeniculata (Tall spear grass or Plains Spear grass)
  • Austrostipa nullanulla (Club Spear-grass)
  • Austrostipa metatoris
  • Austrostipa mollis (Soft Spear Grass)
  • Austrostipa acrociliata (Graceful Spear-grass)
  • Austrostipa blackii (Crested Spear-grass)
  • Austrostipa ramosissima (Pillar of Smoke, native princess spear grass)
  • Austrostipa compressa

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Magnoliophyta (or Charophyta depending on species)
• Class: Liliopsida (or Equisetopsida depending on species)
• Order: Poales
• Synonyms: The genus includes species formerly classified under the genus Stipa.

Distribution and Habitat

• Primarily found in Australia.
• Austrostipa stipoides is native to the coasts of south-eastern Australia.
• Common in dry open places, especially in Tasmania, which has 12 native species.
• Austrostipa mollis is widespread on sand and/or low nutrient soils.
• Austrostipa compressa is a native ephemeral of southwest Western Australia.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Perennials (rarely annuals) of various habits, often forming tussocks.
• Large grasses.
• Auricles often present.
• Ligule usually membranous.
• Blade rolled.
• Austrostipa ramosissima (Pillar of Smoke) is a tall-growing cool-season evergreen grass with a columnar growth habit up to 6 feet tall.
• Tufted or spreading, sometimes rhizomatous perennial (rarely annual).
• Austrostipa stipoides is a spiky, slow-growing coastal tussock with silver-green coloring.

Quirky Facts

• The distinctive form of Austrostipa stipoides gives these grasses the appearance of tawny-colored 'flames' upon the shoreline.

Etymology

• Austrostipa: From the Latin australis (southern) and the genus Stipa.
• stipoides: like Stipa, another grass.
• compressa: From the Latin word compressus, meaning compressed.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Austrostipa aristiglumis is associated with crop pathogens and other Fusarium species.

Resources and Further Information

• World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)
• PLANTNET : http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Austrostipa~platychaeta
• Catalogue of New World Grasses (Poaceae)
• DELTA database
• The South African National Biodiversity Institute
• Flora of Victoria