Astrebla is a small genus of xerophytic (adapted to survive in an environment with little liquid water) grasses found only in Australia.[1] They are the dominant grass across much of the continent.[2] 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 6000NaN0 and a lower limit of 2000NaN0 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.[3] [4]
They are commonly found clumped together and reaching one metre high, providing habitat for organisms such as mammals.[5]
| Astrebla elymoides | hoop Mitchell grass | the second most common species | |
| Astrebla lappacea | curly Mitchell grass | the most common species | |
| Astrebla pectinata | barley Mitchell grass | the most drought-tolerant species | |
| Astrebla squarrosa | bull Mitchell grass | the most flood-tolerant species |