Curly spinifex plain pastures
These pastures are part of the Kimberley sandy soil group pastures, and perennial curly spinifex is the identifier grass. Use the interactive key to pasture condition to help identify pasture type.
Pastoral value
Curly spinifex plain pastures have a low pastoral value, although value is increased if there is a high density of ribbon grass in the stand. These pastures can also provide a valuable drought reserve. Too-frequent burning, burning at the wrong time, or heavy grazing following fire causes desirable species, such as curly spinifex and ribbon grass, to decrease or disappear.
Occurrence
Curly spinifex plain pastures are widespread on level to undulating plains throughout the East Kimberley. They are found on a range of sandy or stony soils. In the north, they occur in eucalypt woodlands; in the drier southern areas, they occur with scattered wattles and eucalypts, or as treeless hummock grasslands.
Pasture condition
Good: In good pasture condition, curly spinifex dominates and is evenly distributed. Ribbon grass may also be common; its presence is largely influenced by moisture availability and past livestock grazing pressure. A range of other desirable and intermediate perennial species may be present, with palatable annual grasses often occurring in the spaces between the perennial grasses.
Desirable species are vigorous and seedlings or young plants of curly spinifex and ribbon grass are often present, depending on the seasonal conditions and time of year.
Fair: In fair condition, the curly spinifex stand is uneven, with larger bare areas developing between plants. Ribbon grass may be well grazed and infrequent. Desirable perennial grasses show some loss of vigour and there is an increase in the presence of less palatable perennial species, such as wire grass.
Poor: In poor condition, desirable species (e.g. curly spinifex and ribbon grass) are rare. The pasture may still be quite dense but is dominated by undesirable species, such as threeawns, and intermediate annual grasses, such as Kimberley couch and annual sorghum. Some intermediate perennial grasses, such as wire grass, may be present.
Associated plants
Common name (link to DPIRD species page) | Scientific name (link to FloraBase) | Life form |
---|---|---|
Desirable species | ||
perennial grass | ||
perennial grass | ||
perennial grass | ||
perennial grass | ||
perennial grass | ||
Intermediate species | ||
Wire grass, Northern Wanderrie grass | perennial grass | |
perennial grass | ||
Citronella grass | perennial grass | |
annual grass | ||
Undesirable species | ||
Aristida spp. | annual or perennial grass | |
Triodia spp. | perennial grasses |