Citation: Arabian grass, kelch (or mulga) grass.

Synonymy: Festuca barbata L., Amoen. Acad. 3:400 (1756); F. calycina Loefl., Iter Hisp. 116 (1758); S. calycinus (Loefl.)C. Koch, Linnaea 21:372 (1848); S. marginatus P. Beauv., Agrost. 74 (1812).

Common name: None

Description:
Tufted annual, with geniculate ascending stems 5-25 cm long; leaves inrolled-setaceous or contracted, glabrous, with long hairs at the orifice of the sheath.

Panicle narrow, 1-6 cm long; spikelets 6-8-flowered; glumes as long as or rather shorter than the flowers; lemma c. 2 mm long, with a short notch about one-sixth of its length; the palea obtuse and as long as the lemma.

Published illustration: Meredith (1970) The grasses and pastures of South Africa, fig. 213.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.   Native to Africa, the Mediterranean and India. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: most of the year but especially Sept. — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: There appear to be two forms, one with contracted panicles and clavate hairs on the lemmas and one with lax elongate panicles and simple hairs. Hubbard and De Winter considered the former to be a distinct species (Brenan, 1969 MS) but there appears to be no name available for it.

Author: Not yet available