Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Hierochloe R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. 208 (1810)
Synonymy:
  • = Savastana Schrank (1789)
  • = Torresia Ruiz & Pav. (1794) nom. rej.
  • = Disarrenum Labill., Nov. Holl. Pl. 2, 82, t. 232 (1806) nom. rej.
 Description

Perennials, coumarin-scented. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule membranous to chartaceous. Leaf-blade flat. Culm several-noded. Inflorescence a ± lax panicle. Spikelets ovate, ± laterally compressed, usually 3-flowered with the two lower florets ♂ and the upper ☿ (in N.Z.); rachilla not prolonged. Glumes subequal, ≈ florets, ovate, 1–3-nerved midnerve percurrent, keeled, chartaceous to membranous. Lemmas of ♂ florets 3–5-nerved, firmly membranous to coriaceous, acute to bilobed, margins ciliate, dorsally to subapically awned, or awn 0, callus long hairy; lemma of ☿ floret 5-nerved, cartilaginous, margins convolute and covering the palea, emarginate, glabrous to hairy above, subapically short-awned to muticous, callus glabrous. Palea of ♂ florets 2-nerved, of ☿ or ♀ floret 1–2-nerved, < lemma. Lodicules 2. Stamens 3 in ♂ florets, 2 in ☿ floret. Ovary glabrous; styles 2, free to connate at base; stigmas long, plumose. Caryopsis ± elliptic, ± laterally compressed; embryo ¼-½ caryopsis; hilum linear, basal. Fig. 11.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Hierochloe R.Br.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)6
Indigenous (Non-endemic)1
Total7
 Bibliography
Brown, R. 1810: Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van-Diemen. Johnson, London.
Labillardière, J.J.H. de 1806–1807: Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. Vol. 2. Huzard, Paris.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Zotov, V. D. 1973: Hierochloe R. Br. (Gramineae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 11: 561–580.