Rytidosperma australe

Rhizomatous perennial, typically forming a close turf, culms to 8 cm high; leaves smooth and glabrous; blade rather stiff, closely folded or inrolled, 1–3 cm long and c. 0.5 mm wide; sheath often tinged purple; ligule ciliate, c. 0.3 mm long; inflorescence a raceme of 2–5 spikelets, to 1.5 cm long. Spikelets 2–3-flowered, 2.5–3.5 mm long; glumes purplish, ovate, obtuse, 2.5–3.5 mm long; lemma glabrous, ovate, c. 2 mm long, obtuse or emarginate at apex with a minute awn to 0.2 mm long within the notch; palea narrowly obovate, slightly shorter than lemma. Flowers Jan.–Feb.