| Common Name: | Silvertop or Red Anther Wallaby-grass |
| Synonym: | Danthonia pallida |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Size: | to 0.3m x 0.5-1m, stems to 1.8m high |
| Description: | Dense clumping perennial, sometimes spreading through underground or prostrate rooting stems. |
| Leaves: | Fine rough bluish-green leaves, margins inrolled, to 40cm x 0.5-6mm. Dense line of hairs projecting from the leaf sheath. |
| Flowering: | Loose slender flowerhead to 35cm long, 3-6-flowered spikelets. Lower floral bracts evenly covered with silky hairs, lying flat, almost to pointed, shortly-bristled lobes; central bristle twisted at base. Anthers red. |
| Flower Colour: | Straw-coloured |
| Flowering Time: | October to January |
| Growing Conditions: | Dry, well drained soils in drier forests and woodlands. Often the dominant ground layer species. Frost tolerant. Full sun, partial to semi shade. |
| Garden Use: | An attractive grass for rockeries, cottage gardens and underplanting. The red anthers are prominent when in flower. Clumps weep, providing a soft edging for paths, embankments and retaining walls. |
| Related Species: | |
| Plant Communities: | 1, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 38, 46 |
| Conservation Status: | Widespread within the Shire |
| Aboriginal Use: | |
| Commercially available: | Indigenous nursery |
| Bird Attracting: | General - food and habitat |
| Butterfly Attracting: | Food plant for caterpillars |
| Frog Habitat: | No |
| Photographer: | 1, 3, 5 Marilyn Gray ©; 2 Kelly Hofert/SYR ©; 4 Peter Kinchington © |