Kangaroo grass is as synonymous with the bush as the Aussie icon after which it’s named. Bursting from planter boxes around the city and covering the grounds at Melbourne Cemetery, you’ll recognise this textural grass by its purply, green-blue winter foliage that transitions to reddish brown in late summer.
While not threatened itself, kangaroo grass is a keystone species in temperate grassland ecosystems, which are among the most threated vegetation types in Australia. Its deep, extensive roots store carbon and regulate nutrients, enriching the soil. Above ground, its signature arches shelter small wildflowers, animals and soil. Butterfly larvae enjoy feasting on its foliage, and its seeds are beloved by birds. While its distinctive flowers don’t have traditional petals, look closely and you’ll find fluffy, purple pollen catchers swaying in the wind.
Before colonisation, kangaroo grass would have adorned woodlands and forests on the sedimentary hills, valleys and ridges in Parkville, Carlton and East Melbourne. You’d also find it covering the fertile grasslands and woodlands that used to cover North Melbourne, Batman’s Hill, Royal Park and Fawkner Park, and undulating in the breezy banks of our rivers and creeks.
This understated beauty stuns in dried floral arrangements and grows in well-drained soil and full or partial sun. Don’t forget to prune the grass to save it from its own shade.
Coming soon
Another highly valued, versatile plant species for the Bunurong people. The edible seed of the kangaroo grass is a ‘superfood’, jam-packed with nutritious omega-3’s, and could be snacked on raw or ground into a four to make delicious bread – ‘Johnny cakes’. Even the base of the stem is edible, making a refreshing, sweet treat. Proving their multi-functional value, the stems and leaves could also be rolled to make thread and string, useful in the weaving of baskets and nets, and fashioning decorative and ceremonial dress. Once again, our native pollinators also love this plant as much as Bunurong people.
‘Kangaroo grass is the unsung hero of our native grasslands. I love the way it sways in the wind, supports local insects, and reminds us that some of the most important things in an ecosystem (or a community) often work quietly in the background. It also grows across Australia, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, making it a lovely symbol for a multicultural city like Melbourne.’
‘The dark horse! I love this plant as I love walking alongside it at Royal Park and the various pocket parks around Melbourne. Not your typical floral emblem - but that is so very Melbourne!’
‘Kangaroo grass has incredibly architectural flowers (I've seen it as patterns on wallpaper and fabric), and for me is an iconic part of the flora of the local bush. It really stands out in the undergrowth compared to some of the other grasses and sedges.’
'A sensory delight.'
‘Another staple food plant for our Indigenous Australians and a very hardy adaptable plant in our garden. The seed heads are beautiful and can be easily used in bouquets. This plants helps our granivore (seed eating) species and was a plant that marsupials enjoyed to eat.’
‘So distinctive, in name and nature with edible seeds. I feel instantly relaxed and transported to a playful open grassland when seeing a clump of these sassy spiky flowers.’
‘Another iconic species that occurs across grasslands and grassy woodlands. A keystone species to many of these environments - the species also displays many different forms and is widespread across Australia but is also found in Asia and Africa and could be used to represent our cultural diversity.'
'There are very few grasses that look like this one. I love the orange and hints of purple in the seed heads. The seeds are really fun to propagate! They have a long spiral awn (tail) that starts twisting when it gets watered, driving the pointed seed head further down into the soil.'
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.
