Midstorey

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Common wallaby grass Rytidosperma caespitosum

Previously known as Austrodanthonia caespitosa, Danthonia caespitosa

When it flowers

KRT4382
KRT4382. Photo: Kevin Thiele from Perth, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Identified as R setaceum by RBGSYD, but has broader flatter leaves than that spp and the lemma is to 3.7 mm long. However, glumes are only 12.1-12.7 mm long and palea does not exceed lemma by as much…
Identified as R setaceum by RBGSYD, but has broader flatter leaves than that spp and the lemma is to 3.7 mm long. However, glumes are only 12.1-12.7 mm long and palea does not exceed lemma by as much…. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Identified as R setaceum by RBGSYD, but has broader flatter leaves than that spp and the lemma is to 3.7 mm long. However, glumes are only 12.1-12.7 mm long and palea does not exceed lemma by as much…
Identified as R setaceum by RBGSYD, but has broader flatter leaves than that spp and the lemma is to 3.7 mm long. However, glumes are only 12.1-12.7 mm long and palea does not exceed lemma by as much…. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Low native grass with fluffy white seed heads, useful as a tough, low-water lawn alternative.

A small tussock grass common across southern Australia, with fine leaves and fluffy, cotton-white seed heads in late spring. It stays green with little water and can be mown occasionally, making it a native option for low-traffic lawns and meadows.

In the garden

  • Mass planting
  • Banks and slopes
  • Lawn alternative
Leaves
Fine, green to grey-green leaves.
Flowers
Fluffy white seed heads in late spring and summer.
Attracts
Butterflies and shelter for small wildlife

Growing conditions

Light
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Sandy, loam and clay
Drainage
Needs good drainage
Frost
Hard frost
Water
Very drought tolerant
Climate
Arid and semi-arid, dry summers (Mediterranean), temperate and cool and alpine

Planting and care

Grown from
Seed and division

Planting

Full sun or light shade. Plant tubes 20 to 30 cm apart for a meadow or lawn.

Pruning

Mow high (8 to 10 cm) a few times a year, or cut back in late winter.

Care

No feeding needed; extra nutrients favour weeds. Water through the first summer.

Where it comes from

Family
Poaceae
Order
Poales
Native to
ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia
Natural range
Grassland and woodland across southern Australia.

Where to buy

Specialist native nurseries.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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