Scientific Name: Rytidosperma nivicola

Common Name: snow wallabygrass

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Poaceae

Form Description: Tufted grass with very rigid, shiny flowering stems. Similar to Rytidosperma nitens which has laxer, more hairy flowering stems and a less hairy bract; also similar to Rytidosperma nudiflorum which has larger spikelets and lateral lobes longer than the body of the bract.

Flowers: Spikelets with 3-5 flowers, 5.5 to 8mm long, bracts sometimes shiny with marginal hair tufts.

Fruit: Caryopsis

Municipality
No data available for this species
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Wet tussock grassland in the eastern mountains.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

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

Seed heads turn from green to off-white and dry out as seed ripens. Should release from heads easily. Harvest by cutting stalks with secateurs. Rub heads between 2 rubber car mats to extract seed. Clean by sieving.

Seed Treatment Method

Surface Sow Sow seed finely on the surface of the potting mix and cover with just enough mix to hold the seed on the surface when watered.

Seed Storage Life

Long

Seed Treatment Notes

Some provenances, especially from inland areas may have 2-4 months dormancy. Seed is best sown on the surface of seed trays and covered lightly. Most species have best results between 15-25°C. Some Rytidosperma germinate quite quickly if sown as soon as ripe. Suitable for direct seeding.

Germination Time

2-3 weeks