Distichlis spicata
ξDistichlis spicata (L.) Greene ξTwo specimens composed of widely spaced tufts to 15 cm, from a strong rhizome bearing stout, grey, bract-like sheaths. Ligule ciliate. Collar with a few hairs. Leaf-blade 1.5-2.5 cm, involute, coriaceous, glabrous, tip finely pungent. Inflorescence 1.5-2 × 0.5-0.8 cm, of 2-3 closely overlapping spikelets. Spikelets 12-14 × 4-7 mm, 8-10-flowered, greenish brown, glabrous; florets ♂ (the sp. is dioecious). Glumes unequal, acute; lower 2.5 mm, 3-nerved, upper 4.5 mm, 5-nerved. Lemma 5.5 mm, 11-nerved, rounded, chartaceous, acute. Palea ≈ lemma, membranous with narrow entire wings; margins curved near base. Stamens 3. A North American species once collected by J. B. and J. F. Armstrong near Christchurch (CHR 8719, and in Armstrong Herbarium CHBG unnumbered; the specimens are undated, but may have been collected in the 1870s).
