Eragrostis eriopoda

Eragrostis eriopoda
Mulga
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Chloridoideae
Genus: Eragrostis
Species:
E. eriopoda
Binomial name
Eragrostis eriopoda
Distribution of Eragrostis eriopoda[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Eragrostis eriopoda var. curvispicula Domin
  • Eragrostis setifolia var. dubia Domin

Eragrostis eriopoda, the woollybutt grass, is a species of love grass in the family Poaceae, native to most of Australia.[2] It is a major grass species of the mulga savanna.[3] In the same genus as teff, its seeds are edible, but very small.[4]

Description

Eragrostis eriopoda is a perennial grass that mostly habitates arid and semi-arid Australia.[5]

The plant grows in a tussock formation, tending to create a ring shape, as the new foliage gorws on the outside, while the older stems die off in the middle. They are typically 30-60cm high, and 15-22cm wide, though this can increase with incerased productivity and age. Though the plant does reproduce via seeds, individual plants can regenerate from vegetative buds, meaning it is not solely reliant on seed production.[6]

The stems are stiff, wiry and unbranched. The leaves are small, narrow and pointed, while the seedheads exist on panicles that vary in size. They are 11.5-20cm long, and up to 7.5cm wide at the base, narrowing toward the tip. The root system is deep, allowing the species to persist in unfavourable conditions.[6]

Ecology

Eragrostis eriopoda like many grasses in the Poaceae[7] family utilises C4 photosynthesis[8], making it more efficient than C3 plants in higher temperatures[7] - something common in arid zones.

Part of E.eriopoda's success in the arid zones may be attributed to its genome. The genus Eragrostis has a large, polyploid genome. This large genome has allowed the species to adapt to more seasonal or arid landscapes, by accommodating the ability to evolve traits to cope with adversity.[9]

Eragrostis eriopoda is a common grass in spinifex country, an area that is subject to high winds, with a sandy soil that relys on the grasses present to retain structure. In semi-arid lands it is less numerous, found in mulga country in the understory of the woody shrubs common here. The soil is typically course to medium textured, acid neutral, red earth.[10]

A large portion of the semi-arid habitat of E. eriopoda has been heavily impacted by agricultural grazing and decreased fire frequency since the removal of Indigenous peoples and their practices from the land post colonisation. These factors together have allowed for woody shrubs to take over the mulga country and push out the grasses.[5]

Uses

E. eriopoda can be utilised as a pasture grass. It is a heavy seeder as well as being drought hardy and fairly resistant to heavy grazing, making it suitable to agriculture in the semi arid zones. The grass itself is quite palatable to stock, and they will choose to graze it.[11]

The seed can be used as a grain through a process called threshing, and is edible, though not particularly popular. Indigenous Australians utilised E. eriopoda in ceremony.[12]

Taxonomy

Taxonomic issues can occur with the Eragrostis genus due to morphological variability within species, making identification more difficult.[11]

Etymology

Eragrostis has Greek origins. Eros meaning love and Agrostis, the Greek word for an indeterminate herb. Alternatively it could have originated from er meaning early and agrostris meaning wild. Plants in the Eragrostis genus are typically pioneer species, capable of invading disturbed lands, such as after fire.[12]

Eriopoda comes from the Greek erion, (wool) and pous (foot), due to its wooly appearance at the base, and thus its common name wooly butt grass.[12]

Conservation status

Eragrostis eriopoda is not threatened.[13]

References

  1. ↑ https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2908171
  2. 1 2 "Eragrostis eriopoda Benth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  3. ↑ Chivers, Ian (2015). Native Grasses Make New Products: A Review of Current and Past Uses and Assessment of Potential. RIRDC. ISBN 978-1-74254-802-9. woolybutt grass
  4. ↑ Mildwaters, John; Clarkson, Chris (2020). "An experimental assessment of the grinding characteristics of some native seeds used by Aboriginal Australians". Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 30 102127. Bibcode:2020JArSR..30j2127M. doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.102127. S2CID 214154973.
  5. 1 2 Hodgkinson, K.C.; Terpstra, J.W.; Müller, W.J. (1995). "Spatial and Temporal Pattern in the Grazing of Grasses by Sheep within a Semi-arid Wooded Landscape". The Rangeland Journal: 154, 155. doi:10.1071/RJ9950154.
  6. 1 2 Lazarides, M. (1991). The Grasses of Central Australia. Australia: ANU Press. pp. 6–19, 137–139. ISBN 9780708103883.
  7. 1 2 Kellogg, Elizabeth. K. (July 22, 2013). "C4 photosynthesis". Current Biology. 23 (14): 594–599. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.04.066.
  8. ↑ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Eragrostis eriopoda (Woollybutt)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  9. ↑ Hutang, Ge Ran; Tong, Yan; Zhu, Xun Ge; Gao, Li Zhi (March 13, 2023). "Genome Size Variation and Polyploidy Prevalence in the Genus Eragrostis are Associated with the Global Dispersal in Arid Area". Frontiers in Plant Science. 14: 1–3.
  10. ↑ Winkworth, R.E. (December 11, 1987). "The Soil Water Regime of an Arid Grassland (Eragrostis eriopoda Benth.) Community in Central Australia". Agriculture Meterology. 7: 387–399. doi:10.1016/0002-1571(70)90034-8.
  11. 1 2 Lazarides, M. (April 18, 1997). "A Revision of Eragrostis (Eragrostideae, Eleusininae, Poaceae) in Australia". Australian Systematic Biology. 10: 77–88. doi:10.1071/SB96002.
  12. 1 2 3 "Eragrostis eriopoda". keys.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2026-06-16.
  13. ↑ https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/380
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