smooth riceflower

Pimelea glauca is a much-branched shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and has glabrous stems. The leaves are narrowly elliptic to lance-shaped or linear, 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) long and 1–6 mm (0.039–0.236 in) wide ending with a short, downward curving, sharp point. The inflorescence consists of 7 to 35 creamy-white tube-shaped flowers 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long arranged in dense clusters at the ends of the branches. The clusters are surrounded by 4 lance-shaped to egg-shaped involucral bracts 6–16 mm (0.24–0.63 in) long and 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) wide. The bracts are smooth on the outside, hairy on the inside and have fringed edges. Flowering mainly occurs from August to December and the fruit is about 4 mm (0.16 in) long. The plant is toxic to livestock.

Smooth riceflower grows in open forest, grassland, coastal heath and on dunes, in sandy soil. It is found in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. It is widespread in N.S.W., the A.C.T., Victoria and Tasmania. In South Australia it occurs in the south-east of the state, including on the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, and on Kangaroo Island.