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 edit
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 edit
Prefers montane to low alpine zones, but is known to descend to sea level in Otago.[6][5] Prefers drier soils.[2]
Conservation edit
The narrow-leaved snow tussock is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.[1][7]
References edit
- ^ a b "Chionochloa rigida subsp. rigida | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ a b "Native plants of sub-alpine areas in Canterbury". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ a b Morrison, Peter; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Narrow-leaved snow tussock". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ "Chionochloa rigida subsp. amara | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Tussock Herbfield | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2019-12-03.