- ≡ Simplicia laxa var. buchananii Zotov, Trans. Roy. Soc. New Zealand 73: 236 (1943)
- = Poa uniflora Buchanan, Indig. Grasses N. Zeal. add et corrig. t. 49B (1880) nom. illeg., non Poa uniflora Muhl.
Tufts usually slender, (25)–40–60–(105) cm. Leaf-sheath membranous, strongly ribbed, glabrous, sometimes scabrid on ribs, or the dark brown basal sheaths pubescent. Ligule 2–4 mm, erose, abaxially glabrous. Leaf-blade 10–20 cm × 1.5–4 mm, smooth, or finely scabrid on ribs; margins finely scabrid, tip acuminate. Culm internodes glabrous. Panicle 4–18 cm, ± linear; rachis glabrous, branches short, erect, glabrous, bearing spikelets almost to base, pedicels short, glabrous, ± appressed to branchlets. Spikelets 2.8–3 mm, 1–(2)-flowered, lanceolate, light green. Glumes glabrous, ovate-lanceolate to ovate, acute to subacute, margins ciliate; lower 0.7–1 mm, upper 1–1.5 mm. Lemma ≈ spikelet, scabrid, 3-nerved, or with 2 additional fainter lateral nerves, ovate-lanceolate, acute to mucronate, or with a subapical awnlet. Palea 2.3–2.7 mm, 1–2-nerved, scabrid. Rachilla prolongation c. 0.5 mm, glabrous. Anthers (0.7)–1–1.3 mm, purplish or yellow. Caryopsis c. 1.5 mm long. 2n= 28.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]