Common names: Curly windmill grass, spider grass (in some areas), windmill grass
Scientific name: Enteropogon acicularis (Lindl.) Lazarides
Family: Poaceae
Growth form: Tufted perennial grass
Native range: Widespread across arid and semi-arid Australia
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | Usually 20–60 cm tall |
| Growth habit | Densely tufted perennial, fine and wiry |
| Leaves | Fine, basal, often curled or rolled inward (helping reduce moisture loss) |
| Inflorescence | Windmill-shaped seed heads with multiple spikelets arranged in a radial pattern |
| Flowers | Spikelets with long awns, giving a “curly” or feathered appearance |
Habitat: Red sandy soils, clay loams, open grasslands, rangelands, and woodlands
Distribution: Found throughout all mainland states in Australia – especially widespread in SA, NT, WA, QLD, and NSW
Drought resistance: High – extremely well-adapted to hot, dry climates
Fire response: Can regenerate after fire through basal buds and seed bank
Palatability: Highly palatable to both cattle and sheep, particularly during early growth
Value: Considered a valuable native pasture grass in arid and semi-arid grazing systems
Benefits:
Provides year-round ground cover
Contributes to erosion control
Low maintenance and persists under grazing
Limitations: Seed set can be variable depending on season; best established through natural regeneration or broadcast seed in sandy areas
Fine, curly foliage
Distinctive windmill-like seed head
Silky hairs on lemmas (flowering parts) make the seed head appear fluffy
Often confused with Chloris species (also called windmill grasses), but Enteropogon acicularis has longer awns and a finer overall form
| Enteropogon acicularis |
Common names: Curly windmill grass, spider grass (in some areas), windmill grass
Scientific name: Enteropogon acicularis (Lindl.) Lazarides
Family: Poaceae
Growth form: Tufted perennial grass
Native range: Widespread across arid and semi-arid Australia
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | Usually 20–60 cm tall |
| Growth habit | Densely tufted perennial, fine and wiry |
| Leaves | Fine, basal, often curled or rolled inward (helping reduce moisture loss) |
| Inflorescence | Windmill-shaped seed heads with multiple spikelets arranged in a radial pattern |
| Flowers | Spikelets with long awns, giving a “curly” or feathered appearance |
Habitat: Red sandy soils, clay loams, open grasslands, rangelands, and woodlands
Distribution: Found throughout all mainland states in Australia – especially widespread in SA, NT, WA, QLD, and NSW
Drought resistance: High – extremely well-adapted to hot, dry climates
Fire response: Can regenerate after fire through basal buds and seed bank
Palatability: Highly palatable to both cattle and sheep, particularly during early growth
Value: Considered a valuable native pasture grass in arid and semi-arid grazing systems
Benefits:
Provides year-round ground cover
Contributes to erosion control
Low maintenance and persists under grazing
Limitations: Seed set can be variable depending on season; best established through natural regeneration or broadcast seed in sandy areas
Fine, curly foliage
Distinctive windmill-like seed head
Silky hairs on lemmas (flowering parts) make the seed head appear fluffy
Often confused with Chloris species (also called windmill grasses), but Enteropogon acicularis has longer awns and a finer overall form
