Indicator value
Where dominant, woollybutt grass can indicate fair to poor pasture condition. While moderately palatable to livestock, the plant is generally considered to be an intermediate species in the Kimberley because it is short-lived. It is considered a desirable species in the Pilbara and in the arid short grass pastures of the Kimberley.
Forage value
Woollybutt grass is moderately palatable to livestock when green but has little bulk and dries off quickly.
Habitat
Pindan, light soils. Woollybutt grass is found on a variety of soils but is more common on lighter soils.
General description
Woollybutt grass is a densely tufted perennial grass that can grow to 15–40cm tall with a bulbous woolly base. The many stems are branched with hairless joints (nodes). The open seed heads are 9–20cm long and are tinged purple. The seeds on the seed head are in spikes 1–2cm long and contain up to 20 paired seeds.