Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Gramineae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Australopyrum (Tzvelev) Á.Löve, Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 95: 442 (1984)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Agropyron sect. Australopyrum Tzvelev (1973)
Type Taxon:
Australopyrum pectinatum (Labill.) Á.Löve
Vernacular Name(s):
Wheatgrass
 Description

Caespitose, extravaginally branching perennial. Leaf-sheath hairy. Auricles short clasping. Ligule short, lacerate. Leaf-blade hairy. Culm short stiff erect, internodes usually hairy. Inflorescence short, spike-like raceme of imbricate, pedicelled spikelets broadside to tough hairy rachis; rachis prolonged. Spikelets appressed or becoming reflexed, laterally compressed; disarticulation flat, and above glumes. Glumes persistent, rigid, shining or dull, indurate or foliaceous, patent or reflexed; awn-like; adaxially antrorsely hairy. Lemma 5–7-nerved, variously ornamented, terminated by sharp, shining or dull awn. Palea keels denticulate. Anthers 1–3 mm. Ovary with hairy apical corona 0.5–1 mm, apex with hispid hairs. Caryopsis linear, adhering to anthoecium. Chasmogamous or cleistogamous.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Australopyrum (Tzvelev) Á.Löve
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)1
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Total3
 Bibliography
Connor, H.E.; Molloy, B. P. J.; Dawson, M. I. 1993: Australopyrum (Triticeae: Gramineae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 31: 1–10.
Löve, Á. 1984: Conspectus of the Triticeae. Feddes Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis 95: 425–521.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.