Rytidosperma tenuius, or purplish wallaby grass, is an Australian species of wallaby grass found in south eastern Australia, usually on clay or sandy soils in the drier eucalyptus woodlands.[1] The grass is perennial, and it may grow up to 1.2 m tall.[2] It is native to the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and it has been introduced to New Zealand.[3][4] The inflorescences have a characteristic reddish colouration, and the attractive purplish bracts of young flowers can also aid in identification.[3][5] The specific epithet tenuius is derived from the Latin for thin.[6]

Rytidosperma tenuius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Rytidosperma
Species:
R. tenuius
Binomial name
Rytidosperma tenuius
(Steud.) Connor & Edgar
Synonyms
  • Austrodanthonia tenuior (Steud.) H.P.Linder
  • Danthonia tenuior (Steud.) Conert
  • Danthonia purpurascens Vickery

References

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  1. ^ "Rytidosperma tenuius". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  2. ^ "Rytidosperma tenuius". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Jessop, John; Dashorst, Gilbert R.M.; James, Fiona M. (2018). Grasses of South Australia. Wakefield Press. p. 297. ISBN 978-1-74305-583-0.
  4. ^ "Short-awn Wallaby-Grass". Grasslands: Biodiversity of south-eastern Australia. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Rytidosperma tenuius". Yarra Ranges Council - Local Plant Directory. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. ^ Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 9780731812110 page 268