42 PASTURE PLANTS AND PASTURES OF N.Z. 



(4) Blue Tussock (Poa Colensoi). This is a fine-leaved 

 grass growing either in Tussocks or as a turf among the Silver 

 Tussock. It has a bluish tinge, and its leaves grow about 

 8 inches high. It is usually considered good sheep feed, 

 but a close examination of the Blue Tussock on land fairly 

 heavily stocked shows that this grass is little liked by sheep. 

 It is nibbled here and there, or may be found closely grazed 

 in patches, but on the whole it is neglected in favour of what 

 one usually regarded as worthless weeds, e.g., Cat's Ear or 

 Cape Weed (Hypochaeris). 



(5) Blue Wheat Grass (Agropyrum scabrum). This 

 grass has broad bluish leaves that attain a height of 12 to 

 18 inches. The flower head is taller and is distinguished by 

 the spikelets being set broadwise on to the stem and by hav- 

 ing long, stiff, gently curved awns. It chiefly grows among 

 the Silver Tussocks and is a valuable sheep feed where it 

 occurs in any quantity. 



(6) Snow Grass (Danthonia raoulii). This is another 

 Tussock, growing 4 to 6 feet high. It has broad leaves shin- 

 ing below, and feathery oat -like heads. It is found only in 

 high country, though at the southern extremity of New 

 Zealand it may descend to near sea level. Its presence in 

 quantity frequently marks the limit above which it is not 

 safe to carry sheep in winter, and therefore it is almost 

 purely a summer country grass, as indeed its popular name 

 of Snow Grass would indicate. Considering its great size 

 it is freely browsed upon by sheep, and horses are 

 inordinately fond of the seed heads. 



REFERENCES, 



For Weed Grasses consult Percival and Ward, as mentioned at 

 end of Chapter I. 



For Native grasses Buchanan is still the best authority available, 



