Citation: F. Muell., J. Trans. Vict. Inst. 1:44 (1855).

Synonymy: A. arenaria Gaudich., Voy. aut. Monde (Bot.) 407 (1829), non Trin.; A. contorta F. Muell. var. hirsuta (Henrard)H. Eichler, Suppl. 48 (1965).

Common name: Mulga grass, sand wire-grass, sand speargrass, (bunched) kerosene grass, wind (or silver) grass.

Description:
Tufted ephemeral to 35 cm tall; leaf blades filiform, glabrous or hairy, more or less wavy, to 8 cm long.

Inflorescence 7-20 x 3-8 cm; glumes very unequal, 1-nerved, purple to straw-coloured, mucronate to aristulare, the lower 8-14 mm long, the upper 15-30 mm long; lemma 5-7 mm long (including the callus of 1.5-2 mm), convolute, smooth (punctulate near the apex), with an articulation below a twisted column 9-30 mm long; awns subequal, 2-7 cm long; grain 3-4 mm long, with a hilum 1.7-2.3 mm long.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, pl. 8h & p. 56.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, SL.   All mainland States. Conservation status: native Flowering time: throughout the year, especially spring.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Regarded as a valuable dry-area grazing grass; the ripe florets can, however, be harmful to animals.

Author: Not yet available