[1] It is a large and somewhat common species of restionaceae which can be easily identified by its bright green colour and its tasseled branches with soft, hairlike texture.

B. tetraphyllum has smooth, beautifully bright green culms which repeatedly branch into whorls out of tan coloured sheaths.

Baloskion australe is very closely related, however its completely erect stems do not branch into feathery tassels like the B. tetraphyllum and it is much smaller, only reaching 0.35-1m tall.

[2] Even more closely related is the subspecies of B. tetraphyllum, Meiostachyum, which is smaller and found in warmer climates, typically between south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, and it has a greater number of spikelets, between 200 and 450.

[5] B. tetraphyllum is a beautiful grass which is often used as a decorative garden species and sold for its cut flowers; it is also a plant which has been used for wetland and mine site rehabilitation.