Botanical name:

Microlaena stipoides

Common name(s):

Meadow Rice Grass, Paatiitii, weeping rice grass

About:

A type of grass that is native to regions such as New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines, this species is known for producing delicate, drooping stalks adorned with numerous spikelets. It typically thrives in soils that have a higher acidity, making it particularly well-suited to these environments.

Natural habitat:

Open lowland forest (up to 1300m), manuka-kanuka scrub and in rough pasture down to sea level.

Growing environment:

Frost, Drought & Salt tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Throughout New Zealand’s North, Stewart, Kemadec, Chatham & South Islands. Less frequent in Canterbury, Otago and Westland & absent in Fiordland of the South Island though. Also indigenous to Australia and Malesia.

Height: 1m

Uses:

Forests & Ground cover.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment.