Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 284 (1753) var. anstralis (F. Muell.)Huth, Bot. Jb. 16:284 (1892).

Synonymy: M. australis F. Muell., Trans. Phil. Soc. Vic. 1:6 (1854).

Common name: Mousetail.

Description:
Plants 3-15 cm high; leaves 1-7 cm long, 0.5-1.5 mm wide.

Scapes usually 2-30, 1-10 cm long; sepals 3-5 mm long, yellowish-green, caducous; petals 5-0, pale-yellow, caducous; stamens 5.

Ripe fruiting spikes 0.7-4.5 cm long, 1.5-2.5 mm thick, gradually narrowed to the apex; beak of achenes not protruding from the surface of the spike; back of achenes {base of beak) more or less rhomboid, 1-1.5 times as long as broad.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 309.

Distribution:    W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Aug — Sept.

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

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: The European and North American M. minimus var. minimus differs in the shape of the back of the achenes which is elliptic, oblanceolate to oblong and twice or more as long as broad.

Author: Not yet available