Order GRAMINEAE. 
Genus Arundo. 
Sub-Order ArundinevE. 
2.—ARUNDO FULVIDA. 
ERECT PLUMED TUSSAC GRASS. 
{Plate XXVIII.) 
Arundo fulvida, Buchanan, Trans. N.Z. Institute, VI., 242. 
Arundo conspicua, Forst. Var. fulvida, Kirk. Trans. N.Z. Institute, X., App. XLIII. 
A large ornamental tussac grass. Floivers December—January. Culms 4—6 feet high. Leaves 
involute, broad, smooth or sparsely covered with silky hairs, and with long attenuate curving points; 
ligule o, or with a waved line of short hairs on mouth of sheath. Panicle 12—18-inches long, dense- 
flowered, erect, bright fulvous colour. Spikelets 1—2-flowered, pedicels capillary. Empty glumes 
1 —A-inch long, 1-nerved, narrow, tapering, apiculate. Flowering glume 3-nerved, with numerous long 
silky hairs proceeding from near the base, lateral awns very short, central awn not included. Falea 
1-nerved, short, oblong, tapering. Scales fleshy, crowned with about 12 cilia. Ovary elongate, narrow. 
Distribution of Species : NEW ZEALAND. 
It has been considered expedient in the present work to retain the specific distinction of this grass, 
in order that the numerous varieties hitherto included under the former species might be arranged into 
two natural groups. The two species thus adopted will occupy the extreme limits of a large group of 
varieties, and probably those nearest allied to the present species may prove the most valuable as fodder 
plants, from their superior succulence and smoothness. The long straight flower stems, the kakaho of 
the Maoris, are worthy of attention in husbandry as a first-class material for thatching stacks or out¬ 
houses. In the primitive state of New Zealand colonial society, these grasses, known as toetoe, as also 
raupo, Typha angustifolia, were much used in roofing buildings both in town and country. The 
. Maoris also produced beautiful specimens of plaiting for the interior decoration of walls from the split 
stems of the kakaho, some of which may still be seen near Wellington. 
It is highly probable that the cultivation of the Arundo grasses under notice might prove as 
remunerative as many of the exotic grasses at present recommended. Distribution in New 
Zealand: NORTH ISLAND: POVERTY BAY, SHORES OF WELLINGTON HARBOUR 
AND COOK STRAIT NEAR WELLINGTON—Buchanan. 
Reference to Plate XXVIII.: Fig. 1. Branch of Panicle. 2. Spikelet. 3. Floret. 4. Nervation 
of empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 8. Ovary, 
with stigmas as protruded past the Palea. 
