Austrostipa scabra

Corkscrew Grass, Slender Speargrass at Hughes, ACT

Austrostipa scabra at Hughes, ACT - 15 Nov 2019
Austrostipa scabra at Hughes, ACT - 15 Nov 2019
Austrostipa scabra at Hughes, ACT - 15 Nov 2019
Austrostipa scabra at Hughes, ACT - 15 Nov 2019
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Identification history

Austrostipa scabra 15 Nov 2019 michaelb
Austrostipa scabra 15 Nov 2019 ruthkerruish
Eragrostis curvula 7 Nov 2019 michaelb
Unidentified 6 Nov 2019 ruthkerruish

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User's notes

The tufts of this "curly" grass still remain after the dry weather. I have added 2 photos of old seedheads I found and I think it is Corkscrew speargrass (Austrostipa scabra) - not ALG!

8 comments

michaelb wrote:
   7 Nov 2019
Hi Ruth
It looks like African Love Grass. A photo of a seed/flower head will help to confirm.
In general for grasses, a good photo of a seed/flower head is required.
ruthkerruish wrote:
   7 Nov 2019
This is definitely not ALG.
ruthkerruish wrote:
   7 Nov 2019
I am familiar with ALG at all stages of growth - HGW is surrounded by it and it is a constant job for the government programs and us to keep it out!
JackieMiles wrote:
   7 Nov 2019
Hmm, ALG would have been my first thought too. The most common form on the tablelands does tend to be quite curly tipped and short in stature compared to what we get on the south coast. Corkscrew grass (Austrostipa scabra ssp falcata) could be possible, but it looks a bit robust for that.
ruthkerruish wrote:
   8 Nov 2019
Could be Austrostipa scabra (previously identified on HGW before with seedheads) without the seed heads?
JackieMiles wrote:
   8 Nov 2019
It could, but I'd be keeping a very close eye on it once there is a bit of rain to see what sort of seed heads start forming. I think ALG is also a strong possibility.
michaelb wrote:
   8 Nov 2019
It doesn't look like Austrostipa scabra. The leaves are more erect and not curly. ALG is more likely. But as I said, in general for grasses, a good photo of a seed/flower head is required.
JackieMiles wrote:
   8 Nov 2019
Yeah, one of the problems with ALG is that it is such a shape-shifter. We get at least 3 forms down on the coast, the "normal" medium sized one, the smaller, curlier, sometimes bluer "tablelands form" and a really robust broad-leaved form, which often doesn't get recognised as ALG till it is well established. I've seen the first two forms on the Monaro.

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 4 - image sightings only

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Austrostipa bigeniculata (Kneed Speargrass) at Red Hill to Yarralumla Creek - 16 Nov 2023 by Tapirlord
Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Jul 2023 by Tapirlord
Acacia rubida (Red-stemmed Wattle, Red-leaved Wattle) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Jul 2023 by Tapirlord
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Hardenbergia violacea (False Sarsaparilla) at Garran, ACT - 24 Jul 2023 by Tapirlord
Vittadinia gracilis (New Holland Daisy) at Garran, ACT - 24 Jul 2023 by Tapirlord
Cassinia aculeata subsp. aculeata (Dolly Bush, Common Cassinia, Dogwood) at Garran, ACT - 24 Jul 2023 by Tapirlord
Geranium retrorsum (Grassland Cranesbill) at Garran, ACT - 24 Jul 2023 by Tapirlord
Amycterus sp. (genus) (Ground weevil) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Jun 2023 by Tapirlord
Oxalis thompsoniae (Fluffy-fruit Wood-sorrel) at Hughes, ACT - 4 Mar 2023 by Tapirlord
Wahlenbergia luteola (Yellowish Bluebell) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Feb 2023 by Tapirlord
Rytidosperma auriculatum (Lobed Wallaby Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Nov 2022 by Tapirlord
Clematis leptophylla (Small-leaf Clematis, Old Man's Beard) at Garran, ACT - 12 Nov 2022 by Tapirlord
Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Nov 2022 by Tapirlord
Geranium retrorsum (Grassland Cranesbill) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Sep 2022 by Tapirlord
Oxylobium ellipticum (Common Shaggy Pea) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Jul 2022 by ruthkerruish
Paropsisterna octosignata (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Jul 2022 by ruthkerruish
Cryptandra amara (Bitter Cryptandra) at Garran, ACT - 10 Jul 2022 by ruthkerruish
Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot) at Garran, ACT - 30 Apr 2022 by ruthkerruish
Acacia rubida (Red-stemmed Wattle, Red-leaved Wattle) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Mar 2022 by ruthkerruish
Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Mar 2022 by ruthkerruish
Chlorophyllum sp. at Hughes, ACT - 17 Mar 2022 by ruthkerruish
Agaricus sp. (Agaricus) at Hughes, ACT - 17 Mar 2022 by ruthkerruish
Poa labillardierei (Common Tussock Grass, River Tussock Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Mar 2022 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Mar 2022 by ruthkerruish
Erigeron sumatrensis (Tall Fleabane) at Garran, ACT - 28 Feb 2022 by Tapirlord
Eucalyptus polyanthemos subsp. polyanthemos (Red Box) at Garran, ACT - 28 Feb 2022 by Tapirlord
Mutusca brevicornis (A broad-headed bug) at Garran, ACT - 10 Feb 2022 by Tapirlord
Calocephalus citreus (Lemon Beauty Heads) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Jan 2022 by Tapirlord
Chezala privatella (A Concealer moth) at Garran, ACT - 21 Jan 2022 by Tapirlord
Scopula optivata (Varied Wave) at Garran, ACT - 20 Jan 2022 by Tapirlord
Orthorhinus klugii (Vine weevil) at Garran, ACT - 19 Jan 2022 by Tapirlord
Ardices canescens (Dark-spotted Tiger Moth) at Garran, ACT - 17 Jan 2022 by Tapirlord
Sandalodes scopifer (White-spotted Sandalodes) at Garran, ACT - 17 Jan 2022 by Tapirlord
Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawksbeard) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2022 by ruthkerruish
Chlorophyllum sp. at Hughes, ACT - 17 Nov 2021 by ruthkerruish
Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 17 Nov 2021 by ruthkerruish
Rhinotia sp. in semipunctata group (A belid weevil) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Nov 2021 by Tapirlord
Bromus catharticus (Prairie Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Oct 2021 by ruthkerruish
Peltoschema delicatulum (Leaf beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 23 Oct 2021 by Tapirlord
Adoxia benallae (Leaf beetle) at Garran, ACT - 23 Oct 2021 by Tapirlord
Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2021 by ruthkerruish
Solanum linearifolium (Kangaroo Apple) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2021 by Tapirlord
Leistomorpha brontoscopa (A concealer moth) at Garran, ACT - 20 Oct 2021 by Tapirlord
Echthromorpha intricatoria (Cream-spotted Ichneumon) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2021 by Tapirlord
Trachymela sp. (genus) (Brown button beetle) at Garran, ACT - 20 Oct 2021 by Tapirlord
Chrysocephalum semipapposum (Clustered Everlasting) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2021 by ruthkerruish
Ardices canescens (Dark-spotted Tiger Moth) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Oct 2021 by ruthkerruish
Austrostipa scabra (Corkscrew Grass, Slender Speargrass) at Hughes, ACT - 5 Oct 2021 by ruthkerruish
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Hordeum leporinum (Barley Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Cassinia longifolia (Shiny Cassinia, Cauliflower Bush) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Trifolium repens (White Clover) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Crassula sieberiana (Austral Stonecrop) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Eucalyptus elata (River Peppermint) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Bromus diandrus (Great Brome) at Garran, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tapirlord
Dacelo novaeguineae (Laughing Kookaburra) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Aug 2021 by ruthkerruish
Christinus marmoratus (Southern Marbled Gecko) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Aug 2021 by Tapirlord
Scymnodes sp. (genus) (Unidentified Scymnodes ladybird) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Jul 2021 by Tapirlord
Eucalyptus elata (River Peppermint) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Jun 2021 by Tapirlord
Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem Cherry, Madeira Cherry) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Jun 2021 by Tapirlord
Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Yellow Gum) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Jun 2021 by Tapirlord
Acaena x ovina (Sheep's Burr) at Garran, ACT - 21 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Scleroderma sp. (Scleroderma) at Garran, ACT - 21 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Uromycladium sp. (A gall forming rust fungus) at Garran, ACT - 21 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Clania lewinii (Lewin's case moth) at Garran, ACT - 21 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Ehrharta erecta (Panic Veldtgrass) at Hughes, ACT - 19 May 2021 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Yellow Gum) at Hughes, ACT - 8 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Glycaspis sp. (genus) (Unidentified sugary lerp) at Hughes, ACT - 8 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Avena sp. (Wild Oats) at Garran, ACT - 1 May 2021 by Tapirlord
Setaria sp. (Pigeon Grass) at Garran, ACT - 16 Apr 2021 by ruthkerruish
Tricoryne elatior (Yellow Rush Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 23 Feb 2021 by ruthkerruish
Grona varians (Slender Tick-Trefoil) at Hughes, ACT - 23 Feb 2021 by ruthkerruish
Acrida conica (Giant green slantface) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Junonia villida (Meadow Argus) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Rumex acetosella (Sheep Sorrel) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Lucia limbaria (Chequered Copper) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Paronychia brasiliana (Brazilian Whitlow) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Lepidium africanum (Common Peppercress) at Garran, ACT - 12 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Cracticus torquatus (Grey Butcherbird) at Garran, ACT - 8 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (Eastern Blue-tongue) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Xanthium spinosum (Bathurst Burr) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Feb 2021 by Tapirlord
Pentatomidae (family) (Shield or Stink bug) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Jan 2021 by ruthkerruish
Cyathus sp. (A Bird's Nest Fungus) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Jan 2021 by ruthkerruish
Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Jan 2021 by ruthkerruish
Coracina novaehollandiae (Black-faced Cuckooshrike) at Garran, ACT - 18 Jan 2021 by Tapirlord
Wahlenbergia luteola (Yellowish Bluebell) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Jan 2021 by Tapirlord
Eucalyptus bridgesiana (Apple Box) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Jan 2021 by ruthkerruish

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 101 - 1,000 Abundance
  • 15 Nov 2019 09:07 AM Recorded on
  • ruthkerruish Recorded by

Additional information

  • 10cm to 30cm Plant height

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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