Astrebla

Astrebla is a small genus of xerophytic (desert-loving) grasses found only in Australia They are the dominant grass across much of the continent. They are commonly known as Mitchell grass after Scottish explorer, Thomas Mitchell (1792 – 1855), who first collected a specimen near Bourke in New South Wales.

Mitchell grasses grow on clay soils, mainly between a lower limit of 200mm average annual rainfall, and an upper limit of 600mm. They can be found growing in depressions in lower rainfall areas, where the water concentrates following rains e.g. in Sturt's Stony Desert. Mitchell grasses are deep rooted and become dormant during drought, allowing them to survive extended periods without rainfall. Understanding the mechanisms and genetic triggers of this drought dormancy could help breed more resilient crop and pasture plants as global environments potentially become drier under climate change.