Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Gramineae Juss.
Genus
Poa L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Poa celsa Edgar, New Zealand J. Bot. 24: 462-463, Figs 4 & 20 (1986)
 Description

Erect, light purplish green perennial tufts to 50 cm, culms overtopping leaves; branching extravaginal; leaf-blades persistent. Leaf-sheath purplish, to later greyish, subcoriaceous, ribs inconspicuous, abaxially with minute prickle-teeth or hairs especially on midrib near ligule. Ligule c. 1.5–3 mm, apically glabrous, rounded, sometimes erose, abaxially with minute prickle-teeth or hairs. Leaf-blade 6–20 cm × (2)–3–6 mm, folded or flat, subcoriaceous, abaxially ± minutely scabrid on ribs, adaxially scabrid in lower ½ and on ribs above; margins scabrid, with some stiff short hairs at collar, tip ± curved, acuminate to often apiculate. Culm 10–40 cm, erect, internodes scabrid below panicle. Panicle 8–15 cm, lax, with slender spreading scabrid branches. Spikelets 6–8 mm, (2)–3–4–(5)-flowered, green or purplish. Glumes ± equal, 3-nerved, ovate-elliptic, nerves and internerves near tip ± scabrid; lower 3.5–5.5 mm, subacute, upper 4–5.5–(6) mm, subobtuse; margins scabrid. Lemma 4.5–6 mm, 5-nerved, oblong, obtuse, pubescent-scabrid on nerves, margins, and often on internerves. Palea 3.5–4.5 mm, keels ciliate-scabrid, interkeel scabrid. Callus with tuft of a few long crinkled hairs. Rachilla c. 1 mm, with a few long hairs; prolongation twice as long. Lodicules 0.5–0.6 mm. Anthers 1–1.5 mm. Caryopsis c. 1–2 × 0.5 mm.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (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. [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]
Edgar, E. 1986: Poa L. in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 24: 425–503.