[1] It was first described as Stipa mollis by Robert Brown in 1810 from a specimen collected in Tasmania.

Leaves are tufted at the base of the plant, usually glabrous, and densely hairy above reaching 30-50% of the stem length.

Hairs are semi-appressed, 0.6–2 mm long, that spiral and appear white to golden except toward apex.

It is frost and snow tolerant and grows in full sun to semi shade.

[6] Occurs in a wide range of habitats with sandy and/or low fertility soils (e.g. coastal dunes and headlands, slightly saline flats, shrubland and dry eucalypt forest).