Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Calamagrostis arenaria (L.) Roth (1788)
Synonymy:
  • Arundo arenaria L., Sp. Pl. 82 (1753)
  • Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link, Hort. Berol. 105 (1827)
  • Psamma arenaria (L.) Roem. & Schult.
  • = Ammophila arundinacea Host
 Description

Long-rhizomatous, wiry-leaved perennials forming compact, glaucous-grey tufts to 170 cm; with strong woody rhizomes and numerous fibrous roots; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath glabrous, light straw-brown or brownish purple. Ligule 15–30 mm, membranous, narrowed to a point, abaxially covered with very minute hairs. Leaf-blade 35–60 cm ×c. 1.5 mm diam., tightly involute, abaxially glabrous, adaxially ribbed, ribs densely short stiff hairy. Culm 70–145 cm, internodes usually scabrid, sometimes smooth to slightly scabrid. Panicle 15–25–(35.5) cm, spike-like, cylindric, tapering above, with numerous crowded light green spikelets; rachis minutely scabrid, erect branches and pedicels hidden among spikelets. Glumes 9.5–14 mm, ± equal, persistent, subhyaline, narrow-lanceolate, glabrous, keel and margins minutely scabrid, tip blunt or obtuse; lower usually 1-nerved, upper usually 3-nerved. Lemma 8.5–13 mm, < glumes, 5-nerved, narrow-lanceolate, obtuse, minutely apiculate, keeled, keel minutely scabrid. Palea 2–4-nerved, subhyaline, central nerves minutely scabrid. Lodicules 1.5–2.5 mm. Callus ringed by long straight silky hairs. Rachilla prolongation bearing long, straight, silky hairs. Anthers 3.5–5.5 mm. Caryopsis c. 3 mm.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing) as Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/ [as Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link]
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42. [as Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link]
Link, J.H.F. 1827: Hortus Regius Botanicus Berolinensis. Vol. 1.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Peterson, P.M.; Soreng, R.J.; Romaschenko, K.; Barberá, P.; Quintanar, A.; Aedo, C.; Saarela, J.M. 2022: Phylogeny and biogeography of Calamagrostis (Poaceae: Pooideae: Poeae: Agrostidinae), description of a new genus, Condilorachia (Calothecinae), and expansion of Greeneochloa and Pentapogon (Echinopogoninae). Journal of Systematics and Evolution 60(3): 570–590. (Published online: May 2022)