Plate 226.— DANTHONIA RAOULII. 



Family GRAMINEiE.] [Genus DANTHONIA, D.C. 



Danthonia Raoulii, Sleud. Syii. PI. Gram. 216 ; Hook. j. Hmidh. N.Z. Fl. 332 : Cheesem. Man. 

 N.Z. Fl. 88G. 



As its name indicates, this well-known species was first collected by Raoul 

 during his exploration of Banks Peninsula made in the years 1840 to 1843. On his 

 return to Europe he described it under the name of Danthonia rigida, a title which 

 was afterwards changed by Steudel to DantJionia Raoulii. In 1845 it was observed 

 by Colenso on the Ruahine Range, and since then no explorer of upland districts 

 in the southern half of the North Island and throughout the whole of the South 

 Island has failed to notice the plant. Its northern limit appears to be on the 

 summit of Mount Hikurangi, in the East Cape district ; but it is abundant on the 

 central volcanic plateau of the North Island, and from thence southwards on the 

 Kaimanawa, Ruahine, and Tararua Mountains. In the South Island it is common 

 throughout, and it also reappears in Stewart Island. 



Danthonia Raoulii, including in the term the variety flavescens, which some 

 botanists prefer to regard as a distinct species, is one of the largest of the so-called 

 "tussock " grasses, and occupies immense tracts of elevated country in the mountain 

 districts of both the North and South Islands. In the early days of colonization 

 it was usually called " snow-grass," doubtless from the fact that it is often the 

 dominant species in high-lying country, covered with snow in winter-time. It now 

 more generally bears the name of " red-tussock," and certainly has a reddish tinge 

 when observed at close quarters, although the general colour of a Danthonia Raoulii 

 meadow when seen from a little distance is a dreary and monotonous brown. The 

 so-called " tussocks " are often of great size, frequently from 3 ft. to 4 ft., and when 

 growing close together, and laden with a multitude of large oat-like spikelets, 

 present an appearance not at all unlike a field of waving grain. 



D. Raoulii must be regarded as possessing considerable economic importance. 

 No doubt the foliage is hard, coarse, and stringy, and is avoided by stock when 

 more tender and nutritious species are present. But the fact remains that it does 

 produce herbage that can be eaten, especially when the young spring growth com- 

 mences ; and that, in addition, it provides shelter for the smaller and finer grases. 

 Danthonia Raoulii usually occupies country which is not at all likely to be converted 

 into meadows of imported English grasses, and which, in point of fact, from its 

 poor soil and bleak wind-swept character is hardly adapted for the support of a 

 vegetation economically better than the original indigenous covering. It is much 

 to be regretted that the injudicious practice of indiscriminate burning, now so largely 

 followed, is gradually destroying a really useful plant, without supplying its place 

 with anything of equal value. 



Plate 226. Danthonia Raoulii, drawn from specimens collected by the Broken River, Canter- 

 bury Alps, at an elevation of 3,000 ft. Fig. 1, ligule of leaf (x 3) ; 2 and 3, portions of leaf,' showing 

 Its involute character (x 6) ; 4, spikelet (x4); 5, flowering-glume with its twisted awn, and palea 

 {x7); 6, palea (x 8); 7, lodicule ; 8, anther ; 9, ovary and styles. (All enlarged.) 



