Poa kerguelensis

Poa kerguelensis is a species of tussock grass native to various subantarctic islands. The specific epithet refers to the type locality – the Kerguelen Islands.[1]

Poa kerguelensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Poa
Species:
P. kerguelensis
Binomial name
Poa kerguelensis
Synonyms
  • Triodia kerguelensis Hook.f.
  • Festuca kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Hook.f.
  • Tzvelevia kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Alekseev

Description

Poa kerguelensis is a perennial grass growing as hummocks up to 80 mm high and 150 mm in diameter.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The grass is found on the Heard, McDonald and Kerguelen Islands of the southern Indian Ocean. It grows on bare soil and in rocky areas where its hummocks trap wind-blown sand. On Heard Island it hybridises with Poa cookii [1] It is a pioneer coloniser of recently deglaciated areas.[2]

References

Notes

  1. Flora of Australia Online.
  2. Frenot et al. (1998).

Sources

  • Frenot, Y.; Gloaguen, J.C.; Cannavaciuolo, M. & Bellido, A. (1998). "Primary succession on glacier forelands in the subantarctic Kerguelen Islands". Journal of Vegetation Science. 9 (1): 75–84. doi:10.2307/3237225. JSTOR 3237225.
  • "Poa kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Steud". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. Retrieved 2011-03-03.


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