Kingdom Plantae Family Poaceae Scientific name Poa foliosa | Order Poales Genus Poa Rank Species | |
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Similar Poa litorosa, Stilbocarpa polaris, Poa meionectes, Pleurophyllum hookeri, Stilbocarpa | ||
Poa foliosa is a species of tussock grass commonly known as muttonbird poa. It is native to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia.
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Description
Poa foliosa is a perennial, dioecious grass growing as densely clumped tussocks up to 2 m in height. The tussocks arise from short, woody stolons, with the shoots covered at the base by the fibrous remnants of sheaths. The leaf-blades are 150–400 mm long and 3–6 mm wide. The plant flowers from October to December, and fruits from November to April.
Distribution and habitat
In New Zealand the grass is found on the north-eastern Titi, or Muttonbird, Islands, as well as on the Solander, Snares, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands. It is also found on Australia’s Macquarie Island. The habitat is coastal and subcoastal, often near seabird colonies.
Macquarie Island
On Macquarie Island’s coastal terraces and slopes it grows in mixed stands with Stilbocarpa polaris where the drainage is good, and along the borders of streams. It forms a tall tussock grassland along the beaches above the high-water mark, as well as patchily on the island’s plateau in sheltered and relatively exposed sites. The upland grasslands are an important habitat for burrow-nesting petrels, rabbits and mice. Where rabbit grazing is controlled, Poa foliosa tall tussock grassland becomes more widespread.