Sporobolus anglicus (C.E.Hubb.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela

Stiff perennials 50–100 cm, with fleshy rhizomes, forming large dense clumps or swards. Leaf-sheath glabrous. Ligule 2–3 mm, densely ciliate. Leaf-blade 5–40 cm × 5–12 mm, persistent or caducous, coriaceous, flat or inrolled, glabrous, adaxially ribbed, narrowed to fine, hard tip. Culm erect, 5–8–(10) mm diam. at base, including closely ensheathing leaves. Panicle 10–30 cm, erect, contracted; spikes 2–8, 5–15 cm; rachis of each spike glabrous, tipped by bristle 1–4 cm. Spikelets 15–20 mm, 1-flowered, very rarely 2-flowered, oblong, pubescent, falling entire at maturity. Glumes unequal, lanceolate-oblong, acute, with short scattered hairs, keels ciliate; lower ⅔-⅘ length of upper and narrower, 1-nerved, upper = spikelet, 3–6-nerved, asymmetrical. Lemma ≤ upper glume, 1–3-nerved, lanceolate-oblong, obtuse, with short hairs above and on keel. Palea ≥ lemma, hyaline, glabrous. Anthers 8–12 mm, dehiscent. Caryopsis 10–12 ×c. 1.5 mm. Fig. 19. Plate 2C.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing). as Spartina anglica C.E.Hubb.]