A Glasshouse Study of Competition Between Astrebla Lappacea (Curly Mitchell Grass) and Two Associated Species.

Abstract

Recruitment of Astrebla spp. (Mitchell grass) may be restricted by high densities of the summer, annual grass Iseilema spp. (Flinders grass). This paper reports a glasshouse study undertaken to assess the competitive ability of A. lappacea in relation to that of Iseilema spp. and also that of the summer, annual forb Hibiscus trionum (Bladder ketmia). Astrebla lappacea was equally competitive with H. trionum but more competitive than Iseilema sp. However, it is concluded that, in the field, the recruitment of Astrebla spp, may be restricted by high densities of Iseilema spp. It is unlikely that the density of summer forb species are sufficient to restrict Astrebla spp.