Citation: F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Aust. 8:140 (1874).

Synonymy: S. australasicus sensu Jessop in J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 209 (1978), non Domin; Vilfa actinoclada F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Aust. 6:84 (1867).

Common name: Ray grass, katoora.

Description:
Stems slender, 15-30 cm high; leaf blades flat, linear-lanceolate, 3-6 cm long, scabrous-ciliate on the margins.

Panicle pyramidal, 5-12 cm long, 3-6 cm broad at the base, the branches finally spreading, the lower ones in rather distant whorls, the uppermost scattered, all naked towards the base; spikelets sessile or up to 1 mm long, crowded in dense unilateral spike-like partial panicles on the upper part of the panicle-branches; glumes unequal, the first c. 1 mm long, the second c. 1.5 mm; lemma nearly 2 mm long.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 140; Lazarides (1970) The grasses of Central Australia, pl. 68a.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL.   All mainland States except Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: July — Dec. and April.

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

Biology: "Highly palatable and nutritious" (Lazarides, 1970).

Author: Not yet available