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 2 of 4 - image sightings only

Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Jan 2021 by ruthkerruish
Vespula germanica (European wasp) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Pseudoperga sp. (genus) (Sawfly, Spitfire) at Garran, ACT - 27 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus elata (River Peppermint) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus elata (River Peppermint) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Oedaleus australis (Australian Oedaleus) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Dictyotus conspicuus (A shield or stink bug) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Camponotus sp. (genus) (A sugar ant) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Eucalyptus bridgesiana (Apple Box) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Sorghum leiocladum (Wild Sorghum) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 4 Dec 2020 by ruthkerruish
Helea ovata (Pie-dish beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Hedera helix (Ivy) at Garran, ACT - 3 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Einadia nutans (Climbing Saltbush) at Garran, ACT - 3 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Pycnostictus sp. (genus) (A bandwing grasshopper) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Cubicorhynchus maculatus (Spotted ground weevil) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort) at Garran, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet, Sheep's Burnet) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (African Olive) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Junonia villida (Meadow Argus) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by Tapirlord
Glycine tabacina (Variable Glycine) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Nov 2020 by ruthkerruish
Glycine tabacina (Variable Glycine) at Hughes, ACT - 23 Nov 2020 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by ruthkerruish
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Garran, ACT - 29 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Bovista (A puffball) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Glycine tabacina (Variable Glycine) at Garran, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Celtis australis (Nettle Tree) at Garran, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Myrmecia nigriceps (Black-headed bull ant) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Glycine tabacina (Variable Glycine) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Cormocephalus aurantiipes (Orange-legged Centipede) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Cheilanthes sieberi (Rock Fern) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Lampropholis delicata (Delicate Skink) at Garran, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by Tapirlord
Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Oct 2020 by ruthkerruish
Aira elegantissima (Delicate Hairgrass) at Garran, ACT - 11 Oct 2020 by ruthkerruish
Christinus marmoratus (Southern Marbled Gecko) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Oct 2020 by ruthkerruish
Asperula conferta (Common Woodruff) at Hughes, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by ruthkerruish
Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Sep 2020 by ruthkerruish
Melangyna viridiceps (Hover fly) at Hughes, ACT - 28 Aug 2020 by ruthkerruish
Geranium retrorsum (Grassland Cranesbill) at Garran, ACT - 27 Aug 2020 by ruthkerruish
Linaria arvensis (Corn Toadflax) at Garran, ACT - 27 Aug 2020 by ruthkerruish
Erodium crinitum (Native Crowfoot) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Aug 2020 by ruthkerruish
Trifolium arvense var. arvense (Haresfoot Clover) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Jul 2020 by ruthkerruish
Ditrichaceae at Garran, ACT - 4 Jul 2020 by ruthkerruish
Nassella neesiana (Chilean Needlegrass) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Jun 2020 by ruthkerruish
Oudemansiella 'radicata group' (Rooting shank) at Hughes, ACT - 24 May 2020 by ruthkerruish
Einadia nutans (Climbing Saltbush) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Apr 2020 by ruthkerruish
Vespula germanica (European wasp) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Apr 2020 by ruthkerruish
Ustilago cynodontis (Smut Fungus) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Mar 2020 by ruthkerruish
Trichosurus vulpecula (Common Brushtail Possum) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Feb 2020 by ruthkerruish
Cacatua galerita (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) at Hughes, ACT - 5 Jan 2020 by ruthkerruish
Myrmeleontidae (family) (Unidentified Antlion Lacewing) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2019 by ruthkerruish
Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle) at Garran, ACT - 6 Dec 2019 by ruthkerruish
Myrmecia nigriceps (Black-headed bull ant) at Hughes, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by ruthkerruish
Eriococcus coriaceus (Gumtree Scale) at Hughes, ACT - 28 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Olbonoma triptycha (Chezela Group) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Cotton Lavender) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Mordellidae (family) (Unidentified pintail or tumbling flower beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 23 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 16 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Podargus strigoides (Tawny Frogmouth) at Garran, ACT - 6 Nov 2019 by Sam
Eucalyptus nortonii (Large-flowered Bundy) at Hughes, ACT - 5 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Aphididae (family) (Unidentified aphid) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Nov 2019 by ruthkerruish
Geranium solanderi var. solanderi (Native Geranium) at Hughes, ACT - 23 Oct 2019 by ruthkerruish
Chondrilla juncea (Skeleton Weed) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Oct 2019 by ruthkerruish
Festuca arundinacea (Tall Fescue) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2019 by ruthkerruish
Chaetophyes compacta (Tube spittlebug) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Oct 2019 by ruthkerruish
Calliphoridae (family) (Unidentified blowfly) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Oct 2019 by ruthkerruish
Uraba lugens (Gumleaf Skeletonizer) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Aug 2019 by ruthkerruish
Oudemansiella 'radicata group' (Rooting shank) at Hughes, ACT - 22 May 2019 by ruthkerruish
Symonicoccus sp. (genus) (Grass Coccid) at Garran, ACT - 3 May 2019 by ruthkerruish
Leptocoris mitellatus (Leptocoris bug) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Apr 2019 by ruthkerruish
zz puffball at Hughes, ACT - 8 Apr 2019 by ruthkerruish
Eleusine tristachya (Goose Grass, Crab Grass, American Crows-Foot Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Feb 2019 by ruthkerruish
Drymaplaneta communis (Eastern Wood Runner, Common Shining Cockroach) at Hughes, ACT - 17 Feb 2019 by ruthkerruish
Spectrotrota fimbrialis (A Pyralid moth) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Feb 2019 by ruthkerruish
Erodium crinitum (Native Crowfoot) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Feb 2019 by ruthkerruish
Portulaca oleracea (Pigweed, Purslane) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Jan 2019 by ruthkerruish
Panicum effusum (Hairy Panic Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Jan 2019 by ruthkerruish
Cryptes baccatus (Wattle Tick Scale) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Jan 2019 by ruthkerruish
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2019 by ruthkerruish
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2019 by ruthkerruish
Pterohelaeus piceus (Pie-dish beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Wahlenbergia luteola (Yellowish Bluebell) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Bromus catharticus (Prairie Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet, Sheep's Burnet) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Anisolabididae (family) (Unidentified wingless earwig) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Polycarpon tetraphyllum (Four-leaf Allseed) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Hippodamia variegata (Spotted Amber Ladybird) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Nov 2018 by ruthkerruish
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy) at Hughes, ACT - 28 Oct 2018 by ruthkerruish
Coccinella transversalis (Transverse Ladybird) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Oct 2018 by ruthkerruish
Panesthia australis (Common wood cockroach) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Oct 2018 by ruthkerruish
Platycercus eximius (Eastern Rosella) at Garran, ACT - 19 Sep 2018 by roymcd
Scarabaeidae (family) (Scarab beetle, curl grub) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Sep 2018 by ruthkerruish
Prunus sp. (A Plum) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Sep 2018 by ruthkerruish
Apina callisto (Pasture Day Moth) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Aug 2018 by ruthkerruish
Cryptes baccatus (Wattle Tick Scale) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Jun 2018 by ruthkerruish
Abantiades atripalpis (Bardee grub/moth, Rain Moth) at Garran, ACT - 9 May 2018 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

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  • 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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