Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Gramineae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Leymus Hochst., 31: 118 (1848)
 Description

Rhizomatous perennials. Leaf-blade stiff, usually glaucous, with ± pungent tip. Inflorescence a linear spike with spikelets in groups of (1)–2–4–(7), at nodes of the tough rachis. Spikelets (1)–2–5–(7)-flowered; disarticulation between florets. Glumes 1–5-nerved, usually > ½ length of lemma, linear, subulate, or narrow-lanceolate, rounded or keeled, acute to shortly awned. Lemma 3–7-nerved, clothed in hairs, rounded or keeled near tip, acute to shortly awned. Palea folded, flank margins contiguous, hairy. Lodicules ciliate, simple. Ovary with conspicuous hairy corona. Caryopsis oblanceolate to oblong, ± grooved; embryo ⅕-¼ caryopsis.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Leymus Hochst.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Total2
 Bibliography
Hochstetter, C.F. 1848: Anzeigen. 31: 118–120.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.