Koeleria cheesemanii
Synonyms
Trisetum cheesemanii Hack., Koeleria novozelandica var. pubiculmis Domin.
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.
KOECHE
Chromosome number
2n = 28
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 - uncommon known from Mt Hikurangi, the Kaweka and north-east Ruahine Range. In the South Island abundant throughout the mian mountain ranges.
Habitat
Rocky outcrops, scree, cliff faces from 1000 - 2800 m. Often found growing with Trisetum spicatum (L.) K.Richt.
Life cycle
Florets are dispersed by wind and possibly attachment (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easy from fresh seed and division of plants. Will not tolerate high humidity, needing a cool, airy place, in well drained, damp soil. Best in an Alpine house. Will not flower at low altitudes unless subjected to “cold treatment” for 1-2 months.
Etymology
koeleria: Named after George Ludwig Koeler (1765-1807), 18th century German botanist. Author of a work on the grasses of Germany and France, Descriptio graminum in Gallia et Germania (1802).
cheesemanii: Named after Thomas Frederick Cheeseman (1846 - 15 October 1923) who was a New Zealand botanist and naturalist who, in 1906, produced The Manual of the New Zealand Flora.
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Taxanomic notes
New Zealand Koeleria are probably better placed in Trisetum
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 11: 285-309