GRAMINE^E 489 



in many localities, and in some is spreading; but, as it seldom ripens 

 perfect seed, its increase is necessarily slow." In the Manual (1906) 

 it is said to be a common escape from cultivation in the North Island. 

 It is now (1921) abundant in some of the Auckland sand-dunes. 



Zizania aguatica, Linn. Canadian Wild Rice 



Recorded by Cheesemanin the Manual ( 1906) as being "naturalised 

 by the Northern Wairoa River, near Aratapu." Various acclimatisa- 

 tion societies are constantly trying to introduce this and other allied 

 grasses as food for wild ducks. 



Phalaris canariensis, Linn. Canary-grass 



First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864; then by Kirk from Wel- 

 lington in 1877. It is now (1917) an abundant weed in fields and 

 waste places in both islands. 



Phalaris arundinacea, Linn. Reed-grass 



First recorded by Kirk in 1877 as occurring "by a tributary of 

 the Waiwetu; probably planted." It does not seem to have been 

 found anywhere else, or recorded since. 



Zea Mays, Linn. Maize ; Indian Corn 



In 1793 Governor King gave the natives of the Bay of Islands 

 district two bushels of Maize, and they appear to have made good 

 use of the seed. Nicholas, who accompanied Marsden to New Zealand, 

 recorded Indian corn as being cultivated freely in 1914; and Earle 

 reports it as very abundant in and about Russell in 1827. 



The first recorded introduction of maize is in 1772, when Crozet 

 formed a garden on Moutouaro Island, and sowed seeds of this 

 among other grains. He says: "everything succeeded admirably, 

 several of the grains sprouted and appeared above ground," before 

 the expedition sailed away from New Zealand. 



I am not aware of its occurrence anywhere in the country as a 

 naturalised form. 



Anthoxanthum odoratum, Linn. Sweet Vernal-grass 

 Probably introduced early last century ; first recorded in Hooker's 

 list in 1864. It occurs in every subsequent list of introduced grasses, 

 and is remarkably abundant in all parts of the country. It flowers 

 from September to November. 



Stipa verticillata, Nees 



In the Manual (1906) reported by Kirk from near Wellington, 

 and by Travers from Nelson. 



