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 | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Subfamily: | Pooideae |
Genus: | Poa |
Species: | P. kerguelensis
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Binomial name | |
Poa kerguelensis | |
Synonyms | |
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Description
editPoa kerguelensis is a perennial grass growing as hummocks up to 80 mm high and 150 mm in diameter.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editThe 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
editNotes
editSources
edit- 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. Bibcode:1998JVegS...9...75F. doi:10.2307/3237225. JSTOR 3237225.
- "Poa kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Steud". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. Retrieved 2011-03-03.