Flora of New Zealand Series

Type species: S. laxa Kirk

Tufted, lax-leaved perennials. Leaf-sheath rounded, uppermost sheaths ± keeled above. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade narrow linear-lanceolate, flat. Culm often decumbent, to erect. Panicle open or contracted. Spikelets small, 1-(2)-flowered; disarticulation above glumes; rachilla prolonged. Glumes unequal, « florets, membranous, keeled; lower 1-nerved, upper 1-3-nerved. Lemma 3-nerved, sometimes with 2 additional weak nerves, chartaceous, keeled, with or without subapical mucro or awnlet. Palea similar to lemma in size and texture, keeled, 1-2-nerved. Callus glabrous. Lodicules membranous, ovate-lanceolate, often asymmetrically lobed. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles apical; stigmas plumose. Caryopsis laterally compressed, ovoid; hilum punctiform, basal.

2 spp., endemic to N.Z.

Simplicia was revised by Zotov, V. D. N.Z. J. Bot. 9: 539-544 (1971); his treatment is followed here. Both spp. are chasmogamous and self-compatible. S. laxa remains a rare and endangered sp.

The spp. appear to resemble Poa, but, as Clayton and Renvoize (1986 op. cit.) point out, the palea in Simplicia is keeled, unlike that of Poa.