Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Agrostis leptostachys Hook.f., Fl. Antarct. 1: 94 (1845); 

Neotype: CHR 119486! V. D. Zotov Beeman, Campbell Island, 3.1.1961 (designated by Edgar 1995 op. cit. p. 23).

=Deyeuxia forsteri var. micrathera Hack. in Cheeseman Man. N.Z. Fl. 869  (1906) comb. illeg., varietal epithet legit.; 

Holotype: AK 1471! T. Kirk Antipodes Id, 17.1.1890 (No 1142 to Hackel).

Pale green, erect tufts, 15-35-(65) cm, with numerous, narrow, involute leaves often overtopping the lax, delicately branched panicles; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath membranous with few, distinct ribs, smooth or scabrid above, pale green to very light brown. Ligule 2-4.5 mm, oblong, very slightly tapered above, truncate, denticulate, abaxially ± scabrid, especially near base. Leaf-blade 3.5-10-(15) cm × 1-2 mm, often involute and 0.5-1 mm diam., abaxially sparsely to closely finely scabrid, adaxially ribbed and closely ciliate-scabrid on ribs; margins finely scabrid, tip acute. Culm 3-18 cm, often included within leaf-sheaths, internodes finely scabrid. Panicle (3)-7-16 × 2-12 cm, very lax; rachis finely scabrid, branches capillary, finely scabrid, tipped by few spikelets. Spikelets 4.5-5.5-(6.5) mm, light green. Glumes ± equal, lanceolate, acute to acuminate, green and submembranous, usually sparsely scabrid especially above, midnerve with sparse prickle-teeth except near base, margins hyaline, sparsely scabrid near tip. Lemma 2.5-3 mm, c. ½ length of glumes, 5-nerved, with soft hairs scattered almost throughout except at tip, elliptic, truncate, lateral nerves shortly excurrent; awn 4-6 mm, straight or ± curved, ± middorsal, or from upper ⅓ of lemma. Palea c. ½-⅔ length of lemma, elliptic, nerves not evident, margins with 1-2 minute hairs, apex very shallowly notched. Callus hairs ± dense, especially below lemma margins, fine, to c. 1 mm, ¼-⅓ length of lemma. Rachilla prolongation to 0.5 mm with fine hair tuft to 1 mm; or 0. Lodicules c. 1 mm, narrow-lanceolate, acute. Anthers (0.6)-0.8-1.2 mm. Caryopsis c. 1.5 × 0.5 mm.

Ant., A., C. Rocky places, especially near the sea, and on open ground in grassland.

Endemic.