Poa incrassata
Synonyms
Poa kirkii var. incrassata (Petrie) Zotov; Poa exigua Hook.f.
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.
POAINC
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 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, Sp
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon
2004 | Sparse
Distribution
Endemic. South Island Central and western Otago to north eastern Southland. Also on Stewart and Auckland Islands.
Habitat
Subalpine to alpine (> 1100 m a.s.l.) in damp ground within herbfield, fell field and open, windswept, poorly drained short tussock grassland.
Features
Diminutive, blue-green to grey-green, stoutly tufted, perennial grass 50-150 mm tall; branching extravaginal at plant base, intravaginal above; leaf-blades long peristent. leaf-sheath lustrous, greenish or reddish purple, later light grey-brown, membranous, glabrous, ribs conspicuous. Ligule 0.2-0.7 mm, apically glabrous, entire, rounded centrally narrowed to a point, lower surface minutely papillose. Leaf-blade 10-90 x 0.6-2 mm, usually folded, underside smooth, though scabrid on midrib near curved apex, upperside glabrous through shortly hairy above ligule, occasionally with a few prickle-teeth on midrib, lateral ribs indistinct; margins inrolled, shortly prickle-toothed. Culm 20-160 mm, internodes usually short-scabrid below panicle, sometimes smooth. Panicle 5-30 mm, compact, spike-like or racemose (pendulous), rarely open with a few rather short branches; rachis and branches stiff, angular, densely scabrid, spikelets few on scabrid pedicels. Spikelets 2.5-3.5 mm, 2-4-flowered, light green tinged maroon or purple. Glumes subequal, 1.5-2.5 mm, glabrous, with sparse prickle-teeth on nerves in upper half; lower glume occasionally smaller 1-1.5 mm, 1-3-nerved, narrow- to ovate-elliptic, subobtuse to obtuse, upper 3-nerved, ovate, obtuse. Lemma 2.2.5 mm, 5-7-nerved, ovate, strongly folded about midnerve, obtuse, cucullate, minutely papillose or finely scabrid near distinctly membranous margin, midnerve scabrid towards apex. Callus glabrous. Anthers 0.2-0.5 mm, purple. Ovary 0.4-0.5 mm; stigma styles 0.75-1.1 mm. Seed 1-1.3 x 0.5 mm.
Similar taxa
The stout, tufted, glaucous to reddish-purple tinged leaves and panicles, and diminutive over all stature easily distinguish this species from other New Zealand Poa. It is perhaps most likely to be confused with P. sublimis Edgar which has somewhat a similar colouration and overall stature. However, P. incrassata differs from that species by its scabrid, short, stiff panicle branches and spikelet pedicels.
Flowering
December - January
Flower colours
Violet/Purple
Fruiting
January - March
Propagation technique
Can be grown in a small pot but dislikes humidity and should be kept in a cool place with some air movement. Will not flower in lowland situations without some form of cold treatment.
Threats
A high altitude species that appears to be secure over its known range. Populations tend to be small and scattered but this appears to be natural rather than induced. It status on the Auckland Islands is unclear though its small size has undoubtedly meant that it has been overlooked both there and in the South and Stewart Islands.
Etymology
poa: Meadow grass
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by Peter J. de Lange (2 June 2006). Description modified from Edgar and Connor (2000).
References and further reading
Edgar, E.; Connor, H.E. 2000: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. V. Grasses. Christchurch, Manaaki Whenua Press. 650 pp.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Poa incrassata Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/poa-incrassata/ (Date website was queried)