Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud.

Loosely tufted annuals, very variable in size, 4–70–(90) cm. Leaf-sheath ± loose, chartaceous, striate, usually finely scabrid above. Ligule (1.5)–4–9 mm, oblong, rounded, lacerate, abaxially finely scabrid. Leaf-blade (1)–6–15 cm × (1.5)–3–4.5–(8) mm, flat, minutely scabrid throughout or sometimes only on ribs near tip and on margins. Culm (3)–10–60 cm, ± erect, or ascending from geniculate base, internodes glabrous. Panicle 1–6 × 0.5–4–(7) cm, dense, cylindric to ovate-lanceolate, often lobed to ± interrupted at base; rachis smooth to scabrid above, with fascicled, finely scabrid branches and short, finely scabrid pedicels disarticulating near base. Spikelets 3–5 mm, oblong, light green, sometimes purplish, falling entire at maturity with most of pedicel attached. Glumes equalling spikelet, ± evenly scabrid, margins usually sparsely ciliate in lower ½, narrowed to shallowly notched apex with very fine, straight, terminal scabrid awn 1.5–2.5–(3) mm. Lemma 1–1.4 mm, hyaline, glabrous, elliptic-oblong, denticulate-truncate or minutely 4-toothed, usually with a fine, caducous apical awn (1.4–2.6 mm). Palea slightly shorter and narrower than lemma, keels ± excurrent. Anthers 0.5–0.7 mm. Caryopsis 0.9–1.2 × 0.4–0.5 mm.

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