Neurachne spp.

mulga grass

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Neurachne spp. is a small genus of about seven perennial tufted grasses in the family Poaceae, endemic to Australia. Plants form compact tussocks 10-45 cm (4-18 in) tall, with narrow, often inrolled and hairy leaf blades arising from a knotty, sometimes rhizomatous base. In spring and after rain each fertile shoot carries a dense, cylindrical, spike-like panicle 1-5 cm (0.4-2 in) long, the crowded spikelets clothed in soft hairs that give a bristly look. The genus is studied in plant science because it spans three photosynthetic types, with N. munroi and N. minor showing the rare C3-C4 intermediate pathway alongside fully C4 and C3 relatives. Most species grow on poor, sandy or stony soils in open woodland, mallee, and arid shrubland, tolerating heat and long dry periods. N. alopecuroidea, foxtail mulga grass, ranges across much of southern Australia. Plants stay low and unobtrusive for much of the year, greening and flowering mainly in response to seasonal rain.

Native Range

Neurachne spp. is endemic to Australia, where its species occur across the southern, central, and western parts of the continent. They grow in open eucalypt woodland, mallee, and arid or semi-arid shrubland, usually on nutrient-poor sandy or stony ground. Several species are tied to particular soil and climate niches within this range.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native, dry, and water-wise gardens and in habitat or revegetation plantings, spaced 20-40 cm (8-16 in) apart. The low tussocks and bristly seed heads suit naturalistic groupings on poor, free-draining soils where many other grasses struggle.

How to Identify

Look for a low, tufted grass with narrow, frequently hairy and inrolled leaves and a single dense, cylindrical, spike-like flower head at the top of each stem. The crowded, softly hairy spikelets give the head a bristly, foxtail-like outline. This compact terminal spike separates Neurachne spp. from looser-panicled tussock grasses of the same habitats.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'6"

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

The bristly seed heads appear mainly in spring, generally September to November, and again after substantial rain in other seasons. Each spike-like head holds its spikelets for several weeks before shedding seed. Plants may stay dormant through dry spells and flower only when moisture returns.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish to straw

Foliage Description

Green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Neurachne spp. grows in full sun on free-draining sandy or stony soils of low fertility and withstands heat, drought, and nutrient-poor ground once established. It suits warm-temperate and semi-arid climates, broadly USDA zones 9 to 11, and resents heavy, wet, or rich soils. Watering is needed only to establish young plants, after which seasonal rain suffices. The grass grows weakly in shade and in cool, damp conditions. As an Australian native of poor soils, it needs no feeding and little intervention.

Pruning

Old flowering stems and dead blades are trimmed back after seed drops to keep tussocks neat. The grass can be cut low in late winter to refresh growth before spring. No other routine pruning is required.