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Entolasia stricta

wiry panic

Poaceae Eastern Australia

Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Entolasia stricta is an evergreen tufted perennial grass reaching 0.3-0.8 m (12-31 in) tall, forming slender, wiry, erect to spreading clumps from a short rhizome. The leaf blades are flat to inrolled, 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long and 2-4 mm wide, green to grey-green, with rough margins. The flowering stems carry narrow open panicles 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long bearing small spikelets about 2-3 mm long, green to purplish, ripening to straw colour. Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer. Growth is moderate, and clumps build up slowly over 2-3 years. The species grows in heath, dry sclerophyll woodland, and on sandy and rocky soils, often in nutrient-poor sites. It tolerates low fertility and periodic dryness but does not persist in heavily shaded or waterlogged ground. It regenerates from the base and from seed after fire or grazing.

Native Range

Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, in heath, woodland, and open forest on sandy and rocky low-fertility soils from the coast to the ranges.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native grass plantings, heath and woodland restoration, and low-fertility embankments, spaced 0.3-0.5 m (12-20 in) apart. It binds sandy soil on slopes and supports habitat and food for native insects and seed-eating birds. The wiry habit suits informal and naturalistic plantings.

How to Identify

Recognised as a wiry tufted grass 0.3-0.8 m (12-31 in) tall with flat to inrolled green to grey-green blades and narrow open panicles 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long carrying small 2-3 mm spikelets. The slender wiry habit and heathland setting separate it from broader-leaved panic grasses, and close inspection of the spikelet structure confirms the genus Entolasia spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'7"

Width/Spread1' - 1'8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers mainly in spring and summer, September to February in eastern Australia, with some response to rainfall at other times. Panicles persist for several weeks as seed ripens. Wind disperses the pollen and light seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

green to purplish

Foliage Description

green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to part shade on free-draining sandy or rocky soil of low to moderate fertility. Water through the first season; established clumps tolerate extended dry periods. High soil fertility and rich garden beds reduce its persistence, as it is adapted to nutrient-poor ground. Waterlogged or heavily shaded sites cause decline. Clumps can be cut back in late winter to remove old growth before spring regrowth. The grass regenerates from the base after fire and light grazing.

Pruning

Cut clumps back to about 10 cm (4 in) in late winter to clear old foliage before new growth. The grass reshoots from the base after cutting, fire, or grazing. Spent flowering stems can be removed as seed sheds.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic