Silky browntop (Eulalia aurea) in the Western Australian rangelands

Page last updated: Friday, 9 July 2021 - 11:02am

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Silky browntop (Eulalia aurea) is one of many plant species found in the Western Australian rangelands.

This page provides a summary of the plant's value for pastoralism. Pastoral lessees and station managers can use this information to assess pasture condition and trend.

Indicator value

Silky browntop is considered a desirable species in most pastures, but in tropical frontage pastures it is considered an intermediate species. It is a decreaser under heavy, wet season grazing.

Forage value

Silky browntop is a palatable nutritious grass when young, but becomes unpalatable to livestock when it matures. It tends to be more nutritive and palatable in the southern areas of the Kimberley.

Habitat

Various sandy and loamy soils.

General description

Silky browntop is an erect, tufted perennial grass with thin stems that can grow to 150cm tall. The leaf blades are flat, up to 30cm long and are blue-green when young, but turn a distinctive red-brown later in the season. The seed head consists of 2–4 closely spaced spikes that are 5–10cm long, silky-haired and dark brown. It flowers from February to May.