| Austroderia splendens | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Austroderia |
| Species: | A. splendens |
| Binomial name | |
| Austroderia splendens (Connor) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Austroderia splendens, the toetoe, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae, native to New Zealand. [2]
Austroderia splendens is a grass with tall tussocks of up to 6 m (20 ft) tall. It can be distinguished from other Austroderia due to having wider, more flexible leaves,and by its leaf blade, which above the ligule is densely hairy. [3] [4]
The species was first described in 1971 by Henry Connor using the name Cortaderia splendens. [3] Connor identified the taxon as being distinct after discovering that some members of toetoe found near Raglan, originally thought to be Cortaderia toetoe , lacked triterpene methyl ethers. [3]
The species is endemic to New Zealand, found on the North Island as far south as Waikawau and the Ohiwa Harbour, and on off-shore islands including Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands. [4] The species is primarily found in coastal areas. [3]
 | This Poaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
