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 Edit this 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

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

Distribution and habitat

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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

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Flora of Australia Online.
  2. ^ Frenot et al. (1998).

Sources

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  • 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.