Order GRAMINE^. 

 Genus, Poa ; Sub- Order, Festucacce. 



8. POA UNIFLORA, n.s. 



ONE FLOWERED POA, 



(Plate XLIX., B.} 

 POA AFFINIS, R. Brown, var. B. agrostoidea? N.Z. Flora., 1,307. 



A TUFTED, glabrous, sub-alpine grass, ascending to 4,200 feet. 

 Flowers December March. Perennial. Culms 12 20 inches high, 

 glabrous. Leaves brownish green, shorter than the culms, flat, A inch 

 broad ; sheaths striated ; ligule long, acute. Panicle elongate, narrow, 

 of few short branches. Spikelets small, i -flowered. Empty glumes 

 glabrous, very short, obtuse, largest 3-nerved. Flowering glinnc 

 glabrous, elongate, obtuse, 3-nerved. Palea 2-fid, 2-nerved. Scales 

 oblique, acute. Anthers long, stout. DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES : NEW 

 ZEALAND. 



The present species recently discovered by Mr. A. Mackay, of the Geological 

 Survey, may at once be distinguished from all other New Zealand species of Poa, 

 by its one flowered spikelets ; while its bulk and succulent habit, will recommend it 

 as a valuable addition to the pasture grasses of New Zealand. Numerous specimens 

 of several other genera were also collected at the same time, chiefly on the Mount 

 Arthur range of mountains, at an elevation of 4 5000 feet. In every case these 

 specimens showed a luxuriant growth, proving the existence of a rich and varied 

 pasture, combined with a bulk unusual at such high altitudes ; several species 

 attaining a height of 3 4 feet. The presence of a limestone formation and 

 abundant moisture explains this remarkable growth. Such localities are, no 

 doubt, well adapted for grazing purposes' during summer, and might even be 

 utilised to the extent of dairy farming, as practised on the European alps, where 

 the cows are driven up the valleys in spring, and removed with the produce of 

 the season in the form of cheese and butter, on the approach of winter. Roads, 

 however, must necessarily be formed before anything but stock for fattening pur- 

 poses can be driven in such localities. DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES IN NEW ZEA- 

 LAND : MOUNT ARTHUR, (4,200 feet altitude)- A. Mackay. 



Reference to Plate XLIX., B. Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3-3'. Nervation 

 of empty glumes. 4. Nervation of Flowering glume. 5. Nervation of Palea. 6. 

 Scale. 7, 7'. Grain, front and side views. 



