Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Digitaria setigera Roem. & Schult. (1817)
Description
Annuals, with stems rooting at lower nodes, sprawling to form loose mats. Leaf-sheath folded, strongly ribbed, light green, with several long fine spreading tubercle-based hairs. Ligule (1)–1.5–2–(2.5) mm, membranous, glabrous, truncate, erose. Leaf-blade (3.5)–5.5–10 cm × 2–7 mm, soft, linear, usually with scattered fine hairs, sometimes glabrous, ribs and margins scabrid, tapering to long, finely pointed tip. Culm (10)–20–45 cm, ascending-erect or straggling, internodes glabrous. Racemes 3–5, (3.5)–5–9.5 cm, slender, digitate (on Kermadec Is plants normally remaining bunched together) rarely spreading; rachis 3-angled, winged, 0.3–0.8 mm wide, scabrid on wing margins and sometimes on central ridge; pedicels 3-angled, scabrid on angles, short-hairy at base. Spikelets 2.5–3.5 mm, in pairs, lanceolate, long-acute, laterally with fine acute-tipped hairs. Lower glume 0, or a minute rim or scale c. 0.1 mm, upper 0.6–1–(1.5) mm, c. ¼-(⅓) length of spikelet, 0–3-nerved, triangular, obtuse to subacute, glabrous, or with long hairs on margins overtopping glume. Lower floret: lemma = spikelet, (5)–7-nerved, nerves inaequidistant, glabrous, outer internerves with long hairs. Upper floret: lemma ≈ spikelet, glabrous, acuminate, yellowish or light brownish at maturity; palea ≈ lemma, similar in texture and shape; anthers 1–1.3 mm; stigmas brown; caryopsis c. 1.5 mm, oblong.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Naturally Uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Naturally Uncommon]
Edgar, E.; Connor, H.E. 2010: Flora of New Zealand Volume V Grasses. Edition 2. Manaaki Whenua Press.
Sykes, W. R. 1977: Kermadec Islands Flora: An annotated check list. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 219: [1]–216.
