Scientific Name: Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides

Common Name: weeping grass

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Poaceae

Form Description: Tufted perennial grass with underground stems. Leaves have long, coarse hairs and a prominent midrib on the lower surface, and a few scattered hairs on the upper surface.

Flowers: In compact flower heads up to 20cm long, at the end of long drooping flowering stems.

Fruit: Caryopsis

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Widespread in a wide range of open habitats, from sea level to 700m altitude.

General Notes

Beware of planting this grass in the garden, as without mowing/grazing, it grows lanky, spreads by stolons throughout other plants and self-seeds. It is recognised as a useful species for a regularly mown lawn or pasture feed.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Division

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seeds turn brownish when mature, and come off easily in the hand. Seeds ripen sequentially along the stalk and fall soon after ripening. Plants continue seeding for a long time.

Seed Storage Life

1-2 years

Seed Treatment Notes

Germinates easily. Suitable for direct seeding. Cover with 10mm potting mix.

Germination Time

2-5 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Easy to propagate by division, as it spreads by stolons.