Indicator value
Feathertop wiregrass is an indicator of poor pasture condition where it is dominant and it is considered to be an undesirable species. It tends to be an increaser on heavy soils under heavy grazing pressure.
Forage value
Feathertop wiregrass is unpalatable to livestock and is only grazed under very heavy grazing pressure.
Habitat
Black soil and heavy soils.
General description
Feathertop wiregrass is an erect perennial grass that can grow to 45–80 cm tall, forming slender leafy tussocks. The stems are mostly unbranched and almost wholly covered by tight sheaths. The leaves are long and flat, but tend to become rolled and curl up with age and can form a tangled mass at the base of the plant. The seeds occur in narrow seed heads to 45 cm long. Each seed has 3 unequal awns 15–30 mm long attached by a twisted shaft to a spike which has a sharp point.