Citation: Samp., Lista Esp. Herb. Port. 24 ( 1913).

Synonymy: V. membranacea sensu Jessop in J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 160 (1978), non (L.) Dumort; Festuca fasciculata Forsskål, Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. 22 (1775).

Common name: Sand fescue, silver grass.

Description:
Coarse annual, to 50 cm high; leaf blades setaceous.

Panicle slightly to well exserted beyond the leaf sheaths, 3-20 cm long; spikelets 2-12-flowered, distal florets smaller and sterile; first glume 0.1-2 mm long, the second at least 6 times as long, awned; lemma c. 12 mm, with an awn up to twice as long; callus 0.5-0.8 mm, pointed, minutely antrorsely scabrid.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; Vic.; N.S.W.   Native to the Mediterranean coastal regions. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Sept. — Dec.

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

Biology: A major weed of mallee farming areas with great potential for further spread. Of the species found locally, it is the only one that thrives with cultivation. It vigorously competes with crops and pastures, causing crop failures and poor establishment of pastures. Lambs are badly affected by the mature seed heads.

Taxonomic notes: Previously misidentified in Australia as V. membranacea.

Author: Not yet available