Koeleria riguorum
Synonyms
None
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Grasses
Chromosome number
2n = 28
Current conservation status
The threat classification 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) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website 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. Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – a suggested threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2018 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon
Previous conservation statuses
2017 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: DP
2012 | Data Deficient
2009 | Data Deficient
2004 | Data Deficient
Distribution
Endemic to the South island. Known from scattered sites from north west Nelson to northern Canterbury. Probably more widespread than this as it is easily overlooked.
Habitat
An alpine to subalpine species of sedge-dominated wetlands.
Features
Slender perennial grass 25(-36) cm tall with fine rhizomes. Leaves often reddish-purple with the erect, mature panicles well overtopping leaves. Leaf-sheath strongly ribbed, finely hairy between ribs, pale straw to purple-suffused. Ligule 0.6-1.1 mm, truncate to subacute, finely hairy. Leaf-blade 3.2-9.5(-17) cm × 0.3-1.2 mm, usually folded, rolled, or flat, linear filiform, hairless (rarely finely hairy), strongly ribbed, margin finely scabrid. Panicle 2-5(-7) × 0.3-1 cm, spike-like. Spikelets (3.6-)4.2(6.5) mm, 2(-3)-flowered bright green, banded with purple and golden-brown. Glumes subequal, lanceolate to elliptic-ovate, acute or obtuse, lower 3.5-4mm, 1-3-nerved, keel scabrid in upper third; upper glume 4-4.2 mm 3-5(-7)-nerved.Seed c.2 × 0.7 mm.
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
Similar taxa
Allied to K. novozelandica but differing from that species by the longer slender rhizomes, leaf-blades diverging at an angle of 30 degrees, reddish leaves and culms, and by the conspicuously purplish and golden-brown colour banding in the spikelets. It is also unusual in being the only indigenous Koeleria to prefer wetland habitats.
Flowering
No information available
Fruiting
No information available
Life cycle
Florets are dispersed by wind and possibly attachment (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily grown by division but hard to maintain. Dislikes warm, humid climates. Should be easy from fresh seed.
Threats
Described in 1999. Koeleria riguorum is probably not threatened but there are very few recent (>1980) collections. Therefore until detailed surveys state otherwise it has been rated as Data Deficient simply as a precautionary measure.
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).
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Taxanomic notes
New Zealand Koeleria might be better placed in Trisetum
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
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
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Koeleria riguorum Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/koeleria-riguorum/ (Date website was queried)