Yarra Ranges Shire Council

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Themeda triandra

Common Name: Kangaroo Grass
Synonym: T. australis
Family: Poaceae
Size: to 40cm x 75cm, stems 0.7-1m high
Description: Soft, erect or spreading tufted perennial herb. Flowering stems erect, reddish.
Leaves: Flat or channelled green to blue-green leaves to 50cm x 5mm, sheath and lower part of leaf sometimes hairy.
Flowering: Leafy weeping or one-sided flowerhead 10-25cm long, clusters of shiny 7-flowered spikelets, leafy bract at base of each; 4 male or sterile spikelets surround 2 male and 1 central female spikelet with purplish bristle.
Flower Colour: Green and brown
Flowering Time: September to February
Growing Conditions: Moist to well drained soils, amongst other grasses in woodland and grassland, not tolerating very wet or dry conditions. Full sun, semi shade.
Garden Use: An excellent grass for feature planting due to its interesting flowerheads. Will cope with light traffic.
Related Species:
Plant Communities: 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44
Conservation Status: Widespread within the Shire
Aboriginal Use: Leaves - string for net-making; Food - seeds ground to make flour
Commercially available: Australian plant & indigenous nurseries
Bird Attracting: Seeds, habitat - nesting materials
Butterfly Attracting: Food plant for caterpillars
Frog Habitat: No
Photographer: 1, 3, 4 Marilyn Gray ©; 2 Kelly Hofert/SYR ©
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