The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Has this grass ever been found in NZ?

Hi Mark, there are no records I am aware of of wild plants. It may be present as a garden plant, but I think it is unlikely. There are several indigenous Trisetum species in NZ. Why do you ask?

Trisetum flavescens is sparingly naturalised in New Zealand around Dunedin, Wellington - and with one historic record from Auckland that probably came from a garden situation. Just last week I was shown images of this species taken by Pat Enright from near Paekakariki. So it is around but it si not very common.

Thanks Peter, I'll keep an eye out for it down here.

Thanks Mike and Peter. Do you have any photos that show identifying features of the grass? Is there anyone that you could recommend that could maybe accompany me on a visit to property (Palmerston North) to look for this grass?

Hi Mark, there are few (very few) people who are experienced in identifying grasses and I know of none near Palmerston North. Colin Ogle in Wanganui could help or it sounds like Pat Enright (Wellington?) knows this species & he may have a photo. You can find images on Google, but use these with caution as the photos in this sort of search are sometimes of another species. I would collect anything that looks like a Trisetum and send it to Kerry Ford at Landcare in Christchurch. See Flora V for a description of the genus, but in general the two bent awns projecting from opposite sides of the spikelet are pretty distinctive.

Alternatively feel free to send specimens to the Auckland Museum where people like Ewen Cameron and Rhys Gardner will happily look at them. They are always keen on specimens and as Rhys Gardner has collected this species in Dunedin recently he knows it very well.

Pat Enright lives in Featherston - he has just retired and has told me he is off on a overseas trip - but if he is still around he may be able to show you this grass. I will email him separately and ask he contact you.

Is Rhys able to give me the details of the Dunedin location? I'd like to get photos and see how common it is. It would be interesting to see how it goes in comparison with the recent establishment and spread of Ehrharta erecta

If I am in AK I will get you an image of the specimen. I will ask Rhys when I see him next.