Astrebla
| Mitchell grass | |
|---|---|
| |
| Astrebla pectinata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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| Genus: | Astrebla |
| Type species | |
| Astrebla pectinata | |
Astrebla is a small genus of xerophytic (desert-loving) grasses found only in Australia[2] They are the dominant grass across much of the continent.[3] They are commonly known as Mitchell grass after Scottish explorer, Thomas Mitchell (1792 – 1855), who first collected a specimen near Bourke in New South Wales.
Mitchell grasses grow on clay soils, mainly between a lower limit of 200mm average annual rainfall, and an upper limit of 600mm. They can be found growing in depressions in lower rainfall areas, where the water concentrates following rains e.g. in Sturt's Stony Desert. Mitchell grasses are deep rooted and become dormant during drought, allowing them to survive extended periods without rainfall.[4] Understanding the mechanisms and genetic triggers of this drought dormancy could help breed more resilient crop and pasture plants as global environments potentially become drier under climate change.[5]
- Astrebla elymoides - hoop Mitchell grass, the second most common species
- Astrebla lappacea - curly Mitchell grass, the most common species
- Astrebla pectinata - barley Mitchell grass, the most drought tolerant species
- Astrebla squarrosa - bull Mitchell grass, the most flood tolerant species
See also
References
- ^ Mueller, Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von 1878. Flora australiensis:a description of the plants of the Australian territory /by George Bentham, assisted by Ferdinand Mueller. 7: 602-603 in English
- ^ Watson, L. and M. J. Dallwitz. (2008). "Astrebla". The Grass Genera of the World. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Atlas of Living Australia, Astrebla F.Muell. ex Benth., Mitchell Grass
- ^ FutureBeef Program for Northern Australia
- ^ Tropical Forages
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ The Plant List search for Astrebla