Order GRAMINE^. 



12. AGROSTIS QUADRISETA. 



SPIKED BENT, OR REED GRASS. 



(Plates XXVL A. and K.) 



AGROSTIS ELATIOR, Steucl. AVRNA QUADRISETA, Lahill., PI. Nov. 

 Holl. I., 25 t. 32. BROMTDH.-M <H \\DRISETUM, Nees. Hook. Lond. 

 Journ., II., 416. AGROSTIS QUADRISETA, R. Brown, Prod. 171. Hook, 

 fit. Fl. Tasm. II., 114. Fl. N.Z. I., 296. Handb. N.Z. Flora, L, 330. 



A . VERY variable species. Flowers December February. Roots 

 perennial, Culms 6 inches to 4 feet high, slender or robust. Leaves 

 shorter than the culms, flat or involute, often setaceous, glabrous, or 

 scabrid. Panicle 2 6 inches long, slender or stout, densely spiked, or 

 interrupted at bottom, lower branches sometimes spreading, whorled. 

 Spikc/ets pedicelled, ^ i-inch long, shining. Empty glumes scabrid on 

 the margins and keel, i -nerved. Flowering glume nearly as long, 

 5-nerved, on a short bearded pedicel, truncate with 4 teeth ; awn short, 

 stout, variable in point of attachment. Palea nearly as long as the 

 glume, with a silky pedicel at back, 2-nerved. Ovary nearly plano- 

 convex. Stigmas sessile, feathery. DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES : 

 AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, NE\V ZEALAND. 



This is a very variable grass both in size and value in pasture, the smaller 

 forms being generally most succulent, especially in sub-alpine districts, the larger 

 again being harsh, and best adapted for cattle. An extraordinary variety of this 

 species is found abundant near Lake Cuyon, in the district of Nelson, at an alti- 

 tude of 2000 feet. (See Plate XX VI. B.) Structurally, this variety, differs much 

 from the species, being probably the result of climatic influences. The abnormal 

 condition of the flowers in this variety preventing the possibility of its continuance 

 by seed, would indicate the presence of plants with unaltered flowers in the 

 district to continue it there, although none has been collected. This variety 

 maybe described as a very robust, rigid, close spiked grass, having all the parts 

 of the inflorescence abnormally formed, the most prominent feature being the 

 frequent presence of one or two stout rigid pedicels without hairs, at the back of 

 the palea, presenting an instance of a branched prolongation of the rachis beyond 

 the Horet. DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ZEALAND: NORTH ISLAND: AUCK- 



