Austrostipa multispiculis, commonly known as small-seed spear grass,[1] is a species of perennial grass in the family Poaceae. It is endemic to South Australia, with records from the Northern Lofty, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island and Murray regions.[2] It flowers mainly from October to November.[2] It most often occurs in Eucalyptus woodland, but also along creeklines and in grassland.[2] It is listed as rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.[3] It is a C3 (winter growing) grass, and mammals are the primary seed disperser.[4] It grows up to a height of 1 metre.[2]
| Austrostipa multispiculis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Austrostipa |
| Species: | A. multispiculis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Austrostipa multispiculis | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Stipa multispiculis J.M.Black | |
The species was first described by John McConnell Black as Stipa multispiculis in 1941, and assigned to the genus Austrostipa in 1996.[2][5]
References edit
- ^ Native Grasses - A Regional Guide. South Australia: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. 2017. p. 14.
- ^ a b c d e Jessop, John; Dashorst, Gilbert R.M.; James, Fiona M. (2018). Grasses of South Australia. Wakefield Press. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-74305-583-0.
- ^ "Austrostipa multispiculis Overview". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Austrostipa multispiculis Traits". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Stipa multispiculis". Electronic Flora of South Australia species Fact Sheet. Retrieved 21 May 2023.