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 3 of 4 - image sightings only

Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Hughes, ACT - 4 May 2018 by ruthkerruish
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Mar 2018 by ruthkerruish
Digitaria sanguinalis (Summer Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Mar 2018 by ruthkerruish
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Mar 2018 by ruthkerruish
Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Bactrocera (Bactrocera) tryoni (Queensland fruit fly) at Hughes, ACT - 28 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Callitris endlicheri (Black Cypress Pine) at Hughes, ACT - 16 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Pheidole sp. (genus) (Seed-harvesting ant) at Hughes, ACT - 4 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Scleranthus fasciculatus (Knawel) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Dianella revoluta var. revoluta (Black-Anther Flax Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Grona varians (Slender Tick-Trefoil) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2018 by ruthkerruish
Centaurium sp. (Centaury) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2017 by ruthkerruish
Camponotus consobrinus (Banded sugar ant) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Dec 2017 by ruthkerruish
Glycine tabacina (Variable Glycine) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Dec 2017 by ruthkerruish
Lolium perenne (Perennial Ryegrass) at Hughes, ACT - 28 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Galium aparine (Goosegrass, Cleavers) at Hughes, ACT - 22 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Phyllostachys aurea (Rhizomatous Bamboo) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Malva neglecta (Dwarf Mallow) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Petrorhagia nanteuilii (Proliferous Pink, Childling Pink) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Rumex acetosella (Sheep Sorrel) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Trifolium arvense var. arvense (Haresfoot Clover) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Flag) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Nov 2017 by ruthkerruish
Hypochaeris radicata (Cat's Ear, Flatweed) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Oct 2017 by ruthkerruish
Senecio quadridentatus (Cotton Fireweed) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2017 by ruthkerruish
Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2017 by ruthkerruish
Homotrysis cisteloides (Darkling beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2017 by ruthkerruish
Funaria hygrometrica (Moss) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Oct 2017 by ruthkerruish
Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth) at Hughes, ACT - 16 Sep 2017 by ruthkerruish
Arctotheca calendula (Capeweed, Cape Dandelion) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Sep 2017 by ruthkerruish
Cotula australis (Common Cotula, Carrot Weed) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Sep 2017 by ruthkerruish
Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia) at Garran, ACT - 21 Aug 2017 by ruthkerruish
Acacia buxifolia subsp. buxifolia (Box-leaf Wattle) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Aug 2017 by ruthkerruish
Acacia rubida (Red-stemmed Wattle, Red-leaved Wattle) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Aug 2017 by ruthkerruish
Acacia decurrens (Green Wattle) at Garran, ACT - 2 Aug 2017 by ruthkerruish
Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem Cherry, Madeira Cherry) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Aug 2017 by ruthkerruish
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet, Common Violet) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Jul 2017 by ruthkerruish
Hardenbergia violacea (False Sarsaparilla) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Jul 2017 by ruthkerruish
Juncus subsecundus (Finger Rush) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Jul 2017 by ruthkerruish
Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Jul 2017 by ruthkerruish
Fumaria muralis subsp. muralis (Wall Fumitory) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
zz agaric (stem; gills white/cream) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Malva parviflora (Little Mallow) at Hughes, ACT - 16 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Chlorophyllum sp. at Hughes, ACT - 15 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Sooty mould at Hughes, ACT - 12 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Gymnorhina tibicen (Australian Magpie) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Westringia eremicola (Slender Western Rosemary) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Rosa canina (Dog Rose) at Garran, ACT - 5 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Taraxacum sp. (Dandelion) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jun 2017 by ruthkerruish
Gymnopilus sp. (Gymnopilus) at Garran, ACT - 24 May 2017 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Yellow Gum) at Hughes, ACT - 23 May 2017 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus blakelyi (Blakely's Red Gum) at Garran, ACT - 22 May 2017 by ruthkerruish
Leaf spot fungus at Garran, ACT - 19 May 2017 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) at Hughes, ACT - 12 May 2017 by ruthkerruish
Hepialidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Swift or Ghost Moth) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Poa sieberiana var. sieberiana (Snowgrass) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Eucalyptus bridgesiana (Apple Box) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Celtis australis (Nettle Tree) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Grimmia sp. (A moss) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem Cherry, Madeira Cherry) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Cheilanthes sieberi (Rock Fern) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Senecio quadridentatus (Cotton Fireweed) at Garran, ACT - 7 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) at Garran, ACT - 7 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Acer negundo (Box Elder) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Petrorhagia nanteuilii (Proliferous Pink, Childling Pink) at Hughes, ACT - 5 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Rhagodia spinescens (Creeping Saltbush) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Apr 2017 by ruthkerruish
Polygonum sp. (Wireweed) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Cladia sp. (genus) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistachio) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Erigeron sp. (Fleabanes) at Garran, ACT - 19 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Einadia nutans subsp. nutans (Climbing Saltbush) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Sisymbrium officinale (Common Hedge Mustard) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Juniperus communis (Juniper) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Nandina domestica (Sacred Bamboo) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust) at Garran, ACT - 10 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Austrostipa bigeniculata (Kneed Speargrass) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Mar 2017 by ruthkerruish
Briza maxima (Quaking Grass, Blowfly Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Dec 2016 by ruthkerruish
Eragrostis cilianensis (Stinkgrass) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Nov 2016 by ruthkerruish
Linaria arvensis (Corn Toadflax) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Oct 2016 by ruthkerruish
Vulpia bromoides (Squirrel-tail Fescue, Hair Grass) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Oct 2016 by ruthkerruish
Leucochrysum albicans subsp. tricolor (Hoary Sunray) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Oct 2016 by ruthkerruish
Erodium crinitum (Native Crowfoot) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Oct 2016 by ruthkerruish
Grevillea juniperina (Grevillea) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Oct 2016 by ruthkerruish
Grevillea sp. (Grevillea) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Oct 2016 by ruthkerruish
Dysphania pumilio (Small Crumbweed) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Mar 2016 by ruthkerruish
Grevillea juniperina (Grevillea) at Hughes, ACT - 6 Feb 2016 by ruthkerruish
Calocephalus citreus (Lemon Beauty Heads) at Garran, ACT - 6 Jan 2016 by ruthkerruish
Petrorhagia nanteuilii (Proliferous Pink, Childling Pink) at Hughes, ACT - 12 Dec 2015 by ruthkerruish
Sorghum leiocladum (Wild Sorghum) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Dec 2015 by ruthkerruish
Convolvulus angustissimus subsp. angustissimus (Australian Bindweed) at Garran, ACT - 24 Oct 2015 by ruthkerruish
Bromus diandrus (Great Brome) at Hughes, ACT - 17 Nov 2014 by ruthkerruish
Orobanche minor (Broomrape) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Aug 2014 by ruthkerruish
Avena sp. (Wild Oats) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2012 by ruthkerruish
Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2012 by ruthkerruish
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) at Hughes, ACT - 24 Dec 2012 by ruthkerruish
Oxylobium ellipticum (Common Shaggy Pea) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Oct 2012 by ruthkerruish
Rubus anglocandicans (Blackberry) at Garran, ACT - 24 Jan 2012 by ruthkerruish
Cacatua galerita (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Nov 2011 by ruthkerruish
Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon) at Hughes, ACT - 25 Mar 2011 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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  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
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