Feldmark grass. Photo: © NSW Office of Environment & Heritage | CC BY 4.0

Feldmark grass

Rytidosperma pumilum
Vulnerable: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

Feldmark grass is a small tufted grass. Its leaves grow to only about 3cm tall, and its flowering stems to about 7cm tall.

It lives in only a tiny area of Kosciuszko National Park in the sparse low vegetation of the bare rocky alpine slopes and ridges, one of the harshest environments in Australia. There is little snow cover in winter because the prevailing westerly winds blow it away.

The absence of snow cover exposes this grass to extremely low temperatures and strong winds for long periods during winter. Surface soil temperatures are high in summer and moisture levels often limiting.

Threats

• Grazing and trampling by feral horses.
• Trampling by bushwalkers.
• Native grasses and shrubs compete with the species for space. This threat will intensify with warmer temperatures caused by climate change.