Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Zotovia colensoi (Hook.f.) Edgar & Connor, New Zealand J. Bot. 36: 571 (1998)
Synonymy:
  • Ehrharta colensoi Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 288, t. 65 A (1853)
  • Microlaena colensoi (Hook.f.) J.C.Sm. (1911)
  • Petriella colensoi (Hook.f.) Zotov, Trans. Roy. Soc. New Zealand 73: 236 (1943) nom. illeg.
 Description

Perennial, (4)–15–(45) cm, forming narrow tufts with yellow-green, papery leaves from long, trailing culms, narrowly branching intravaginally and bare below except for remains of old sheaths. Leaf-sheath smooth, cross-veinlets ± visible, cream. Ligule 0.1–0.2 mm, a truncate minutely ciliolate rim. Leaf-blade 4–10 cm × 1.5 mm, ± erect, linear, flat, becoming inrolled, ribs and cross-veinlets cream, abaxially smooth, adaxially minutely scabrid on ribs, long-tapering to acicular tip, margins minutely scabrid. Panicle (1)–3–5–(7) cm, loosely spike-like, curved or drooping; branches smooth to slightly scabrid. Spikelets (6)–7–10 mm, shortly pedicelled. Glumes obtuse to acute, to truncate and shortly mucronate, margins finely ciliate above; lower 2–3.7 mm, upper 2.5–4 mm. Ø lemmas abaxially smooth, sometimes cross-veinlets visible, ± scabrid on keel, adaxially minutely pubescent above, awn 2–3 mm, scabrid; callus hairs dense, 2–3 mm; lower Ø lemma 5–6–(8) mm; upper Ø lemma (5)–6–9 mm. ☿ lemma 4–5.5 mm, obtuse tip ciliolate, occasionally obliquely truncate and very shortly mucronate, keel smooth. Palea 2.5–4 mm. Rachilla prolongation to 0.7 mm, minutely hairy at apex, or reduced to a minute knob tipped by fine hairs. Lodicules 1–1.5 mm, cuneate, erose to lacerate. Anthers c. 2 mm. Gynoecium: ovary to 1 mm; stigma-styles to 1.5 mm. Caryopsis c. 2.5 × 1 mm. 2n=c. 48.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Edgar, E.; Connor, H. E. 1998: Zotovia and Microlaena: New Zealand Ehrhartoid Gramineae. New Zealand Journal of Botany 36: 565–586.
Edgar, E.; Connor, H.E. 2010: Flora of New Zealand Volume V Grasses. Edition 2. Manaaki Whenua Press.
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Zotov, V.D. 1943: Certain Changes in the Nomenclature of New Zealand Species of Gramineae. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 73: 233–238.