''Astrebla'' is a small
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
xerophytic
A xerophyte (from Greek ξηρός ''xeros'' 'dry' + φυτόν ''phuton'' 'plant') is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert such as the Sahara or places in the Alps or th ...
(adapted to survive in an environment with little liquid water) grasses found only in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. They are the dominant grass across much of the continent. 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 an upper limit of and a lower limit of average annual rainfall, and at even lower rainfall in depressions where the water concentrates following rains, for example in Sturt's Stony Desert. Mitchell grasses are deep-rooted and become dormant during drought, allowing them to survive extended periods without rainfall.
They are commonly found clumped together and reaching one metre high, providing habitat for organisms such as mammals.
; Species
The Plant List search for ''Astrebla''
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See also
* List of Poaceae genera
The true grasses ( Poaceae) are one of the largest plant families, with around 12,000 species and roughly 800 genera. They contain, among others, the cereal crop species and other plants of economic importance, such as the bamboos, and several i ...
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q310444
Chloridoideae
Bunchgrasses of Australasia
Poales of Australia
Forages
Poaceae genera