Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Deschampsia gracillima Kirk (1891)
Description
Slender densely leafy tufts (2.5)–4–20–(25) cm, with stiff panicles often scarcely overtopping leaves; drying dull greenish brown. Leaf-sheaths submembranous, rounded, glabrous, light to dark brown, ribs few, ± prominent. Ligule 1.5–2 mm, glabrous, long tapered to acuminate tip. Leaf-blade (2)–3–7–(9) cm × 0.3–0.6 mm diam., involute, strict, glabrous, ribs few; tip hooded, very minutely sparsely prickle-toothed. Culm ± erect, often hidden by leaf-sheaths, internodes glabrous. Panicle 1.5–6 cm, erect, open, often deltoid; rachis glabrous, branches ascending to spreading, glabrous or sparsely minutely prickle-toothed, tipped by 1–2 spikelets. Spikelets 3.5–4.5 mm, light green, not very shining, becoming dull brown. Glumes subequal or unequal, < spikelet, ± keeled, minutely prickle-toothed on midnerve and margins near tip; lower 2–3.3–(4) mm, (1)–3-nerved, narrow- to oblong-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, upper 2.5–4–(4.5) mm, elliptic-lanceolate, 3-nerved, obtuse. Lemma 2–3 mm, ovate-oblong, ± firmly membranous, apex irregularly 4-toothed; awn subapical, 0.2–1–(1.5) mm. Palea ≤ lemma, apex shortly bifid, keels minutely scaberulous. Callus hairs 0.6–1.3 mm, dense. Rachilla hairs 0.6–1 mm, ± dense. Lodicules 0.3 mm. Anthers 0.4–0.8 mm. Gynoecium: ovary 0.7–0.8 mm; stigma-styles 1.0–1.2 mm. Caryopsis c. 1 × 0.4 mm.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1925: Manual of the New Zealand Flora. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
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. [Not Threatened]
