A tall perennial grass, forming tufts to 1 m high. Arching, thin, leathery leaves 20–30 cm long with prominent veins running lengthways. Flowers are small and occur in pink or purple, bristly, upright spikes at the ends of bamboo-like canes. Fruit are small and dry with long, showy bristles.

Occurring naturally in Central Australia, this appealing dense tussock grass has very distinctive pendulous green and golden– brown flowerheads. It may reach a height of between 0.6 and 1.3 m and clumps may cover an area of 40 cm when established. To encourage new growth and more prolific flowering, cut the grass down as the flower heads dry off.

A fast-growing, highly ornamental grass with bluegrey leaves and fluffy silvery flowerheads. Clumps to 0.8 m high by 0.4 m wide. This grass has lemon-scented foliage and the fragrance is released when brushed against. Once established, it will self-seed but it is not invasive. It is frost tolerant and requires little additional water to thrive.

A slender, tufted grass that produces purplish flower spikes that fade to gold. It readily selfseeds in gardens and is hardy and frost tolerant. It will reach a height of 30–60 cm and cover an area of 20 cm. Its flower spikes are highly ornamental.