Australian Salt-grass

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Scientific Name: Distichlis distichophylla
Image: Australian Salt Grass
Australian Salt Grass

Common Name:
Emu Grass, Pineapple Grass

General Description:
Coarse prickly grass with two rows of narrow pointed leaves on opposite sides of the stem.

Leaves are regularly spaced and tend to grow outwards away from the stem. The flowerhead is a group of 2-5 pale spikelets at the end of a stem. Flowers mainly in spring but may continue into summer.

Further Details:
Perennial grass, which often has closely bunched stems and leaves. The stems lie along the ground or ascend from rhizomes (underground stems). The spikelets are flattened and have 6-14 individual flowers.

Soils
Occurs in a wide range of soil types from sandy to loams and clays. Tolerant of periodically flooded or very wet soils.

Habitat and Notes
Quite a common plant in some areas especially in coastal areas and salt marshes. Sometimes forms quite dense mats in moderately saline areas. Useful for stabilising saline soils.

Image: Australian Salt Grass
Australian Salt-grass

Related Links

Department of Environment and Conservation - NSW - Threatened species - Australian Salt-grass (external link)

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Scientific Name:	Distichlis distichophylla	Australian Salt Grass
Common Name:	Emu Grass, Pineapple Grass
General Description:	Coarse prickly grass with two rows of narrow pointed leaves on opposite sides of the stem. Leaves are regularly spaced and tend to grow outwards away from the stem. The flowerhead is a group of 2-5 pale spikelets at the end of a stem. Flowers mainly in spring but may continue into summer.
Further Details:	Perennial grass, which often has closely bunched stems and leaves. The stems lie along the ground or ascend from rhizomes (underground stems). The spikelets are flattened and have 6-14 individual flowers.
Soils	Occurs in a wide range of soil types from sandy to loams and clays. Tolerant of periodically flooded or very wet soils.
Habitat and Notes	Quite a common plant in some areas especially in coastal areas and salt marshes. Sometimes forms quite dense mats in moderately saline areas. Useful for stabilising saline soils.