Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Stenostachys deceptorix Connor, New Zealand J. Bot. 32: 144 (1994)
Description
Tall robust perennial stoloniferous grass with loosely open to compact shoots of flat leaves, and a long nodding narrow inflorescence. Leaf-sheath 5–10 cm, keeled, frequently densely pubescent with short and long hairs, sometimes glabrous; becoming fibrous. Auricles 0.5–0.7 mm, scarcely clasping, very occasionally 1–2 long hairs. Ligule 0.25–0.5 mm, very faintly erose. Leaf-blade 10–30 cm × 1–2.5 mm, flat, thin, with abundant small prickle-teeth on ribs, very occasionally with hairs 0.5 mm between ribs abaxially and sometimes near ligule; margin prickle-toothed. Culm stout 40–190 cm, internodes glabrous, shining; nodes sometimes geniculate. Inflorescence slender, nodding, 10–20 cm, of 20–30 spikelets > internodes; rachis prolongation 2–6 mm. Spikelets to 15 mm, of 1–3 florets, shining; rachilla prolongation 3–3.5 mm. Glumes 2, 5–10 mm, equal, narrow canaliculate below soon becoming awn-like, prickle-toothed, closely appressed to floret above, < spikelet. Lemma 8–10 mm, smooth except for prickle-teeth below awn and near callus, sometimes pruinose, infrequently bifid at apex; scabrid awn 5–6.5 mm. Palea 8–10 mm, ≥ lemma; apex produced or retuse, ciliate; keels toothed. Callus short, surrounded by short stiff hairs; disarticulation flat. Rachilla 1.8–2 mm, with abundant stiff hairs. Lodicules 0.7–0.8 mm. Anthers 3–3.5 mm. Gynoecium: ovary 0.75–1 mm; stigma-styles to 2.5 mm. Caryopsis 5–5.5 mm; embryo 1–1.5 mm. Chasmogamous or cleistogamous.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
Bibliography
Connor, H.E. 1994: Indigenous New Zealand Triticeae: Gramineae. New Zealand Journal of Botany 32: 125–154.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
