Flora of New Zealand Series

≡S. laxa var. buchananii Zotov, T.R.S.N.Z. 73: 236 (1943)

≡Poa uniflora Buchanan Indig. Grasses N.Z. t. 49B  (1880) non Muhl. (1817); 

Holotype: WELT 59605 (Buchanan's folio)! A. Mackay Mt Arthur [1874].

Tufts usually slender, (25)-40-60-(105) cm. Leaf-sheath membranous, strongly ribbed, glabrous, sometimes scabrid on ribs, or the dark brown basal sheaths pubescent. Ligule 2-4 mm, erose, abaxially glabrous. Leaf-blade 10-20 cm × 1.5-4 mm, smooth, or finely scabrid on ribs; margins finely scabrid, tip acuminate. Culm internodes glabrous. Panicle 4-18 cm, ± linear; rachis glabrous, branches short, erect, glabrous, bearing spikelets almost to base, pedicels short, glabrous, ± appressed to branchlets. Spikelets 2.8-3 mm, 1-(2)-flowered, lanceolate, light green. Glumes glabrous, ovate-lanceolate to ovate, acute to subacute, margins ciliate; lower 0.7-1 mm, upper 1-1.5 mm. Lemma ≈ spikelet, scabrid, 3-nerved, or with 2 additional fainter lateral nerves, ovate-lanceolate, acute to mucronate, or with a subapical awnlet. Palea 2.3-2.7 mm, 1-2-nerved, scabrid. Rachilla prolongation c. 0.5 mm, glabrous. Anthers (0.7)-1-1.3 mm, purplish or yellow. Caryopsis c. 1.5 mm long. 2 n = 28.

S.: Nelson, especially in north-west. Stony or rocky ground in forest or in open places in the shade of taller plants or rocks; montane to subalpine.

Endemic.