Chionochloa rigida

Chionochloa rigida, known commonly as narrow-leaved snow tussock and by its Māori name wī kura, is a species of tussock grass endemic to New Zealand.[1][2] Two subspecies are recognised, including Chionochloa rigida rigida and Chionochloa rigida amara.[3][4]

Chionochloa rigida
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Chionochloa
Species:
C. rigida
Binomial name
Chionochloa rigida
(Raoul) Zotov

Distribution

Found throughout the lower half of the South Island, from Banks Peninsula and east of the Southern Alps through to Southland.[5]

The subspecies C. rigida amara has a more western distribution and is found south of around 43°S in the Southern Alps.[3]

Habitat

Prefers montane to low alpine zones, but is known to descend to sea level in Otago.[6][5] Prefers drier soils.[2]

Conservation

The narrow-leaved snow tussock is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.[1][7]

References
  1. "Chionochloa rigida subsp. rigida | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  2. "Native plants of sub-alpine areas in Canterbury". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  3. Morrison, Peter; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Narrow-leaved snow tussock". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  4. "Chionochloa rigida subsp. amara | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  5. Talbot, J. M.; Prendergast, Pat V. (1984). McCaskill Alpine Garden, Lincoln College : a collection of high country native plants. Lincoln College.Tussock Grasslands & Mountain Lands Institute. hdl:10182/6299. ISBN 978-0-908584-21-5.
  6. "Tussock Herbfield | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  7. "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
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