Agrostis muscosa
Common name
pincushion grass
Synonyms
Agrostis aemula subsp. beta spathacea Berggr., A. parviflora var. perpusilla Hookf., A. canina var. gamma
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Grasses
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
AGRMUS
Chromosome number
2n = 42
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. North Island from eastern Bay of Plenty south to the South Wellington coastline. South Island throughout except Westland. Stewart island
Habitat
lowland in coastal turf and gravel, otherwise montane, subalpine to alpine on stone pavements, within tussock grassland, on tarn and lake margins and in fell field
Flower colours
Yellow
Life cycle
Florets are dispersed by wind and water (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easy from fresh seed and rooted pieces. Does very well in pots, and can be grown in most situations. Does not like humidity
Etymology
agrostis: Greek name for a kind of grass
muscosa: Moss-like
References and further reading
Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 2009 Vol. 11 No. 4 pp. 285-309