66 ARUNDO CONSPICUA. 



This grass often forms a conspicuous feature in the scenery of New Zealand, 

 and on low undulating hills or fringing water courses, especially when associated 

 with the Cabbage tree, Cordylipe australis, presents an unique feature in landscape 

 botany. Several varieties of Arundo are found, especially in the North, and on the 

 Islets off the coast, but the whole of these varieties may be arranged under two spe- 

 cies those with nodding or pendulous panicles, having the florets and awns in- 

 cluded within the empty glumes, under the present species A rundo consfricua : and 

 those with upright panicles having the floret awns riot included within the empty 

 glumes, under the next species, Arundo fulr'nJa. 



The economic value of the New Zealand Arundo grasses as fodder plants, has 

 been much overlooked, for if cut down when in flower, they will be found 

 both succulent and agreeable to stock. Experiments made recently on an allied 

 species, (Arundo sellowlana, Schultes, better known as Gynerhun argenteum, Nees, 

 the Pampas grass of South America), by Sir George Grey, at Kawau, and Dr. 

 Curie, at Manawatu, favour the view that these coarse grasses have been neglected, 

 and that they only require to be cut down at the proper time, to insure that stock 

 will eat them greedily. DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ZEALAND : COMMON EVERY- 

 WHERE AT LOW ALTITUDES. 



Reference to Plate XXVII. : Fig. 1. Branch of a Panicle. 2. Spikelet. 

 3. Floret. 4. Nervation of empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glumes. 

 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 8. Pistils and stigmas. 9. Grain. 



