Pyrrhanthera exigua (Kirk) Zotov
≡Triodia exigua Kirk, T.N.Z.I. 14: 378 (1882)
≡Sieglingia exigua (Kirk) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 789 (1891)
≡Danthonia exigua (Kirk) Zotov, T.R.S.N.Z. 73: 234 (1943)
≡Rytidosperma exiguum (Kirk) H.P.Linder, Telopea 6: 614 (1996);
Lectotype: WELT 40227! T. Kirk by the Thomas River, Waimakariri, Feb. 1881 (designated by Zotov 1963 op. cit. p. 126).
Low-growing tufts of slender shoots usually spaced singly along a comparatively stout, far-creeping, woody rhizome; leaves setaceous, curved outwards, bright green becoming yellow, apparently glabrous except at sheath apex, much < mature culms; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath tightly appressed to shoot, mostly below ground-level, light brown to whitish, pinkish-tinged at first, entirely glabrous, shining, soft, ± transparent, ribs more distinct in older sheaths, apical tuft and collar hairs to 1 mm. Ligule c. 0.1 mm. Leaf-blade to 6 cm, folded, with smooth incurved margins, glabrous, tip obtuse, with a few minute prickle-teeth. Culm 2-7-(8.5) cm, erect, filiform, internode glabrous. Inflorescence a reduced panicle, to 1.5 cm, of 1-2-(4) brownish green, ovoid, 2-3-(6)-flowered spikelets c. 6 mm; pedicels minutely hairy; florets ⚥; disarticulating above glumes and between florets. Glumes ± equal, (3.5)-5-6.5-(9.5) mm, ≈ florets, stiffly concave, ovate, green at centre with purple lateral band and broad light brown margins, lower 7-nerved, upper 5-nerved, glabrous apart from minute prickle-teeth on midrib near apex and finely ciliate margins. Lemma (2.5)-3.5-4-(5) mm, (7)-9-nerved, light green, purple-tinged above, hard and shining; hairs short and scattered, longer on margins and in 2 bands ± centrally, scarious towards tip with rather dense minute prickle-teeth; apex tridentate with central scabrid mucro 0.2-0.5-(0.8) mm between shorter lobes. Palea < lemma, (2.5)-3-3.5-(4.5) mm, keel and apex conspicuously densely ciliate, several longer hairs on margin. Callus 0.3-0.5 mm, glabrous. Rachilla glabrous. Lodicules 2, ± truncate, apically long hairy. Stamens 3, anthers (0.8)-1.3-1.8 mm, scarlet or cream. Gynoecium: ovary 0.5 mm; stigma-styles 2, c. 2 mm. Fruit an achene, c. 1.5 × 0.8-1 mm; embryo ⅓ to ½ length achene; hilum basal, ⅓ length achene.
S.: Canterbury and North Otago. Lowland to montane in short tussock grassland and dry or sandy ground.
Endemic.
Inflorescences may be reduced to 1 spikelet on hairy pedicel above aborted spikelet(s). On the ovary apex the remnant of aborted third style is evident.
