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Rough Spear-grass

A small, tufted perennial grass with plume-like flowers in Spring. Very drought tolerant and tolerant of compacted soils.

 

A beautiful grass for an ornamental garden. Leaves are fine and plant is easy to miss when not in flower. Seeds an important food source for seed eating birds such as the Red-browed Finch. Watch out for the sharp seeds that will get into your socks.

 

Scientific name
Austrostipa scabra
Family
Poaceae

Characteristics


Lifeform
Grass
Height
0.3
Width
0.3
Growth rate
Medium-Fast
Evergreen
Yes
Perennial
Yes

Growing Conditions


Full Sun
Yes
Semishade
Yes
Shade
Cold
-10
Drought tolerance
Waterlogging tolerance
Compaction
Good
Wind
Good
pH
acid

Uses


Ground cover
Screen
Shade
Container
Yes
Hedge
Windbreak
Grassy Woodland
Yes
Perennial border
Yes
Climber
Native lawn
Shrub Mass
Wetland

Biodiversity


Insect pollinator feeding
Caterpillar feeding
Bird feeding
Yes
Bird refuge
Lizard feeding
Lizard refuge
Yes
Frog refuge
Yes
Mammal feeding
Pollinators
Larvae
Birds
Seed granivores
Mammals

Flowering


Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Yes
Sep
Yes
Oct
Yes
Nov
Yes
Dec
Yes