Austroderia fulvida
Common names
kakaho
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Grasses
Simplified description
Coastal to montane robust tussock. Near the coast (cliffs, stream and road banks, occasionally dunes) it commences flowering in October but later (December–January) around e.g., the Volcanic Plateau.
Flower colours
Cream, White
Detailed description
Robust, stout, tussock-forming grass up to 3.5 m tall when in flower (but see under distinguishing features). Leaf-sheath glabrous, green, copiously covered in white wax. Ligule 1 mm. Collar light brown, glabrous. Leaf-blade 1–2(–3) m × 2 cm, green, dark-green, often somewhat glaucous, upper side glabrous, surface rather harsh due to numerous prickle-teeth, undersides glabrous except near and on leaf margins where long, deciduous hairs are present, these grading into prickle teeth toward leaf apex. Culm up to 3.5 m, inflorescence portion up to 1 m tall, pendant, plumose. Spikelets numerous, 20 mm with 2–3 florets per spikelet. Glumes equal, 15 mm, < or equal to florets. Lemma 1 mm, 3-nerved, scabrid. Palea 4.5 mm, keels ciliate. Callus hairs 1.5 mm. Rachilla 0.5 mm. Flowers either perfect or female. Anthers of perfect flowers 3.8 mm, in females 2 mm. Ovary of perfect flowers 0.6 mm, stigma-styles 1.8 mm; ovary of female flowers 0.8 mm, stigma-style 2.5 mm. Seed 1.5–2 mm.
Similar taxa
Generally smaller in stature than Austroderia toetoe and flower heads appear earlier when the two species grow together or in the same climatic zone. Can grow in drier sites than A. toetoe. Recognised by the distinctive tussock growth form, the leaf blade being glabrous above the ligule; ligule 1 mm, and by the absence of a contra-ligule.
In Northland two forms of Austroderia fulvida occur, the large robust form which encompasses the type is scarce, whilst the other, seemingly endemic to Northland differs by its smaller stature. Beyond stature there seem to be no other distinctions.
Distribution
Endemic. North Island: throughout but generally scarce north of Auckland, where most populations attributed to A. fulvida are of the small ‘Northland race’ which may prove to be another species; also Marlborough in the South Island.
Habitat
Found from the coast to montane areas. Common alongside streams, lake margins, in damp spots within forest clearings, seepages, dunes and on hillsides, including sea cliffs. In the Central North Island is often found bordering with forestry roads and logging tracks.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Not Threatened
Threats
Abundant and not threatened. Often naturalising in suitable habitats.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
Arundo fluvida Buchanan; Arundo conspicua var. fulvida (Buchanan) Kirk; Cortaderia fulvida (Buchanan) Zotov
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
Yes
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
September–November (later at higher elevations, e.g. December–January in central North Island)
Fruiting
October–March
Life cycle and dispersal
Florets are wind dispersed (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily grown from fresh seed (as a revegation exercise ripe seed heads can be pinned to soil surface, and if kept damp, soon germinate) and division of established plants.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FAC: Facultative
Commonly occurs as either a hydrophyte or non-hydrophyte (non-wetlands).
Other information
Cultivation
Commonly cultivated. Plants are often sold for revegetation purposes by specialist native plant nurseries.
Ecological significance
Often used in habitat restoration, where it is ideal for protecting stream sides and roadside banks. However, in some parts of the country it has been used excessively, often with little regard as to its native range and habitat preferences, such that it now poses a risk to other allied Austroderia species indigenous to these areas because of the potential for hybridism, and through competition.
Etymology
fulvida: Yellow
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
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.
AUSFUL
Chromosome number
2n = 90
Previous conservation statuses
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Regional conservation statuses
Auckland: 2025 | Regionally Threatened – Regionally Endangered | Qualifiers: DPR, DPS, DPT, PF, RR, Sp
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Auckland conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation status of vascular plant species in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland” Simpkins E et al. (2025) report.
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Edgar E, Connor HE. 2000. Flora of New Zealand. Vol. V. Grasses. Christchurch, Manaaki Whenua Press. 650 p.
Thorsen MJ, Dickinson KJM, Seddon PJ. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285–309.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 October 2006. Description adapted from Edgar & Connor (2000).
Some of this factsheet information is derived from Flora of New Zealand Online and is used under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence.