Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. (1919)
Synonymy:
  • Molinia maxima Hartm. (1820)
  • = Poa aquatica L., Sp. Pl. 67 (1753)
  • Glyceria aquatica (L.) Wahlenb. (1820)
Vernacular Name(s):
Reed meadow grass; Reed sweet grass
 Description

Tall, luxuriant, wide-leaved perennial sending up numerous long leafy shoots from a stout creeping rhizome. Leaf-sheath entire at first, later splitting, light green to pale brown, often purplish, paper-like, shining, very finely scabrid to almost smooth, with numerous conspicuous cross-veinlets. Ligule (4)–4.5–6.5 mm, firmly membranous, glabrous, blunt, but tapered centrally to fine point. Leaf-blade (20)–30–50 cm × 10–20 mm, flat, finely striate, very finely scabrid to almost smooth, abaxially scabrid above on conspicuous midrib; margins finely scabrid, tapering abruptly to short ± rigid tip. Culm (5)–10–180 cm, robust, internodes glabrous. Panicle 20–30–(40) cm, lax and open, or contracted and rather dense, broadly ovate to oblong, with numerous spikelets; rachis, branches and pedicels finely scabrid, longer branches naked below. Spikelets (5)–6–7.5–(10) mm, (3)–4–8-flowered, green, or tinged purplish brown. Glumes subequal, hyaline, 1-nerved; lower 1.7–2.5 mm, elliptic-oblong, subacute, upper 2–3.5 mm, ovate-oblong, obtuse. Lemma 2.5–3.5 mm, 7-nerved, elliptic to ovate-elliptic, broadly obtuse, subcoriaceous; nerves minutely prickle-toothed, not reaching upper hyaline minutely prickle-toothed margins. Palea oblong, keels tubercular-scabrid. Rachilla 0.7–1 mm, glabrous. Anthers (1)–1.5–1.8 mm. Caryopsis c. 1.5 × 1 mm.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.