Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Microlaena polynoda (Hook.f.) Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 320 (1864)
Synonymy:
- ≡ Diplax polynoda Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 290 (1853)
- = Ehrharta multinoda F.Muell. (1870) nom. illeg.
- = Microlaena ramosissima Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 21: 105 (1888 [1889])
Description
Scrambling, bambusiform, rhizomatous perennial with stout, bare internodes below but leafy above, emitting cataphyll-surrounded shoots at rhizome and at nodes; inflorescence short, infrequent; cleistogenes common along stems. Leaf-sheath keeled, glabrous, < culm internodes, margins membranous, apex with conspicuous tufts of hairs 1.5–3–5 mm sometimes absent. Ligule 0.2–0.3–0.5 mm, erose, ciliate. Auricles 0. Collar thick, fringed by some hairs from sheath apex. Leaf-blade 10–30 cm × 2–5 mm wide, becoming long and fine, midrib evident, glabrous; margins scabrid, prickles spaced throughout but fewer below. Culms to 1.5 m × 2–2.5 mm diam., many noded, glabrous or hairy, or densely long hairy below nodes, longitudinally grooved. Inflorescence a narrow raceme 6–19 cm, internodes short, 3–10 solitary spikelets, or panicle to 15 cm of short and long branches at nodes, > internodes, up to 20 spikelets; rachis densely hairy at nodes sometimes throughout, branches and pedicels hairy. Spikelets 14–17 mm, on short or long pedicels. Glumes unequal, 1-nerved, occasionally bifid, margins and apex ciliate; lower 0.5–1–2 mm, ≤ callus hairs, upper 2–3–5 mm, > callus hairs. Lower Ø lemma 8–11–15 mm, 3–5-nerved, finely prickle-toothed, margin shortly (0.5–0.75 mm) hairy; adaxially finely hairy, awn < ⅕ lemma length; callus hairs 0.5–1.0 mm; upper Ø lemma 12–14–18 mm, 5–7-nerved, keel prickle-toothed, margin ciliate, finely prickle-toothed, awn < ½ lemma length; callus hairs few. ☿ lemma 6–7.5–10 mm, 5–7-nerved, awn 0 or 0.3–0.5 mm from shortly lobed ciliate apex, finely prickle-toothed above, glabrous below, keel toothed. Palea 4.5–5.5–6.5 mm, membranous, becoming acute; keel, upper margins and apex long ciliate. Lodicules 2, 0.8–1.0–1.75 mm, irregularly lobed or entire, sometimes hair-tipped. Stamens 4; anthers 1.0–2.5–4.5 mm, yellow. Gynoecium: ovary 0.7–1.3 mm; stigma-styles 1.0–2–3.5 mm, stigmatic branches to apex of ovary. Caryopsis 3–4.5–5.5 mm; embryo 1 mm. 2n= 48. Chasmogamous and cleistogamous.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1889: A description of some newly-discovered Phænogamic plants; being a further contribution towards the making known the botany of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 21: 80–108.
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. [Not Threatened]
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. [Not Threatened]
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Hooker, J.D. 1864: Handbook of the New Zealand Flora: a systematic description of the native plants of New Zealand and the Chatham, Kermadec's, Lord Auckland's, Campbell's and Macquarie's Islands. Part I. Reeve, London.
