Weeping rice grass
Microlaena stipoides

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

Microlaena stipoides (Labill.) R.Br. is a synonym of Ehrharta stipoides Labill.

Microlaena stipoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Damp grassland, heath, woodland and forest; widespread in damper lowlands of southern Australia. On the northern tablelands of NSW it is found particularly in shaded high fertility areas, whereas in Victoria, Australia it also occurs on unshaded slopes under grazing.

Distributed in South Africa, Sri Lanka, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Conservation Status: Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (New South Wales, Lord Howe Is., Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia); India; Indonesia (Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Sulawesi, Papua); New Zealand (South Is., North Is., Chatham Is., Kermadec Is.); Papua New Guinea; Philippines; South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal); Sri Lanka.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

A relative of rice. The flour has much higher protein levels - it was 22%, compared with only 9% for rice, 12–14% for hard wheats, and up to 18% for high-protein hybrid maize varieties. Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: balanced carb (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world). In production although yields are low or unreported.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A high quality grass in late spring, summer and early autumn for grazing cattle. It produces high quality feed (10 to 27% crude protein). Of greater pastoral importance in woodlands of Tasmania and South Australia. Developed for low maintenance lawns - variety (‘Griffin’). Good habitat and seed for native birds. An ornamental in rockeries or under trees.

Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Under Development: Plant breeders are actively working to domesticate these plants for cultivation, but they are not yet commercially available as crops. Examples include most of the perennial cereal grains.

Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Climate: Mediterranean, warm temperate. Humidity: semi-arid. Prefers moist well drained soils that are moderately to highly fertile, in semi-shaded areas. Mean annual rainfall: 200-2250mm. Mean annual temperature: 9-20 °C. Mean max. temperature of the hottest month: 15-41 °C. Mean min. temperature of the coldest month: -1-9 °C. Altitude: 0-1200 metres. Moderately drought tolerant. Tolerates frosts in the 0° to -5°C range. Tolerates salt-laden coastal winds. Grows on clay loam or loam, sandy loam, sandy clay loam soils. Soil pH: acidic (less than 6.5). Soil depth: moderate to deep (30-100 cm or greater). Short-lived less than 15 years. Growth rate: fast. Root system: shallow and spreading. Shade tolerance: tolerates partial shade. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: under development. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-10

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

A perennial tufted grass which is common in moist and wet habitats. It invades disturbed sites rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Weeping grass, Meadow Ricegrass, Varieties: Griffin, Burra, Ovens, Bremmer, Tasman.

Synonyms