Rytidosperma tenuius

Rytidosperma tenuius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Rytidosperma
Species:
R. tenuius
Binomial name
Rytidosperma tenuius
(Steud.) Connor & Edgar
Synonyms
  • Austrodanthonia tenuior (Steud.) H.P.Linder
  • Danthonia tenuior (Steud.) Conert
  • Danthonia purpurascens Vickery

Rytidosperma tenuius, or purplish wallaby grass, is an Australian species of wallaby grass found in south eastern Australia, usually on clay or sandy soils in the drier eucalyptus woodlands. The grass is perennial, and it may grow up to 1.2 m tall. It is native to the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and it has been introduced to New Zealand. The inflorescences have a characteristic reddish colouration, and the attractive purplish bracts of young flowers can also aid in identification. The specific epithet tenuius is derived from the Latin for thin.