Catapodium rigidum

Common name: 

Hard Poa

Family: 

Poaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

All regions except Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Highlands, Snowfields (CDEHJKLNPSTWZ) also naturalised in WA, Sa, NSW, Tas

Map - Australia's Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Dry, sandy soils near the coast, often in disturbed areas1,2

Flower description:

Flowers without petals and surrounded by a scale/bract1

Habit:

Tufted annual grass with culms to 30 cm long1

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

Branches bear spikelets almost to the base, glumes are of different sizes1

Images:
Image of Catapodium rigidum
Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia

Links to description of this species:

RBG

Conservation status:

Introduced

References:

1 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria
2 The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (October, 2014). PlantNET - The Plant Information Network System of The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au