Austroderia fulvida
Common name
kakaho
Synonyms
Arundo fluvida Buchanan; Arundo conspicua var. fulvida (Buchanan) Kirk; Cortaderia fulvida (Buchanan) Zotov
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
Yes
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.
AUSFUL
Chromosome number
2n = 90
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
Brief description
Coastal to montane robust tussock. Near the coast (cliffs, stream and road banks, occasionally dunes) it commences flowering in October but later - Dec-Jan) around e.g., the Volcanic Plateau.
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.
Features
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 x 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; female flowers with ovary 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.
Flowering
September - November (later at higher altitudes e.g. Dec-Jan in central North Island)
Flower colours
Cream, White
Fruiting
October - March
Life cycle
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.
Threats
Abundant and not threatened. Often naturalising in suitable habitats.
Etymology
fulvida: Yellow
Where To Buy
Commonly cultivated. Plants are often sold for revegetation purposes by specialist native plant nurseries.
Cultural Use/Importance
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.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 October 2006. Description adapted from Edgar & Connor (2000).
References and further reading
Edgar, E.; Connor, H.E. 2000: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. V. Grasses. Manaaki Whenua Whenua Press, Christchurch.
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 11: 285-309
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Austroderia fulvida Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/austroderia-fulvida/ (Date website was queried)