Poa tenera

Common Name: Slender Tussock-grass
Synonym:
Family: Poaceae
Size: 5-20cm high
Description: Slender bright green trailing perennial, trailing branches rooting at nodes. Flowering stems weakly erect.
Leaves: Smooth, thin folded or inrolled leaves, to 20cm x 1.5mm, veins becoming raised as leaf dries. Sheath pale, occasionally red to purple.
Flowering: Sparse pyramidal flowerhead, to 8cm x 6cm, 2-4-flowered spikelets; lower bracts 3-veined, lower floral bract with 5 distinct veins, shortly downy to hairless on lower part, web weak or absent;
Flower Colour: Pale green
Flowering Time: October to January
Growing Conditions: Moist soils in shady forests and riparian scrubs along watercourses. Semi shade to dappled shade.
Garden Use: An attractive bright grass useful as a groundcover in moist areas, especially on embankments. Flowerheads are beautiful with the sun behind them.
Related Species:
Plant Communities: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38, 46
Conservation Status: Locally common within its preferred growing conditions
Aboriginal Use:
Commercially available: Indigenous nursery
Bird Attracting: Seeds, habitat - nesting materials
Butterfly Attracting: Food plant for caterpillars
Frog Habitat: Yes
Photographer: 1, 3, 4, Marilyn Gray ©; 2 Peter Kinchington ©
Photo montage - default
Last Updated: 30/06/2010
Yarra Ranges Shire Council © 2009
P O Box 105, Anderson Street, Lilydale, VIC 3140
Tel: 1300 368 333 Fax: 9735 4249
mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au