The grass family Poaceae is one of the largest plant families in New Zealand. There are 496 grass species recorded, the majority of which are introduced and naturalised â a total of 285, including one eradicated species and 54 casuallyâÂÂnaturalised species. Of the 194 indigenous species, the majority (165 species) are endemic.
Species list
The following is a list of grass species known to exist in New Zealand, sorted alpabetically by genus. The conservation statuses follow the Department of Conservation's Conservation Status of Vascular Plants in New Zealand (2023). All species are sourced from the Landcare Research Flora of New Zealand website, unless indicated otherwise.
Achnatherum <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Agrostis <small>L.</small>
Aira <small>L.</small>
Amelichloa <small>Arriaga & Barkworth</small>
Anemanthele <small>Veldkamp</small>
Aristida <small>L.</small>
Arundo <small>L.</small>
Australopyrum <small>(Tzvelev) ÃÂ.Löve</small>
Austroderia <small>N.P.Barker et H.P.Linder</small>
Austrostipa <small>S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett</small>
Avena <small>L.</small>
Avenella <small>L.</small>
Axonopus <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Bambusa <small>Schreb.</small>
Bouteloua <small>Lag.</small>
Briza <small>L.</small>
Bromus <small>L.</small>
Buchloe <small>(Nutt.) Engelm.</small>
Cenchrus <small>L.</small>
Chloris <small>Sw.</small>
Chusquea <small>Kunth</small>
Connorochloa <small>Barkworth, S.W.L.Jacobs & H.Q.Zhang</small>
Coix <small>L.</small>
Cynodon <small>Rich.</small>
Dactylis <small>L.</small>
Danthonia <small>DC.</small>
Deschampsia <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Digitaria <small>Haller</small>
Diplachne <small>Lam.</small>
Echinochloa <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Echinopogon <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Ehrharta <small>Thunb.</small>
Eleusine <small>Gaertn.</small>
Elytrigia <small>Desv.</small>
Entolasia <small>Stapf</small>
Festuca <small>L.</small>
Gastridium <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Glyceria <small>R.Br.</small>
Hainardia <small>Greuter</small>
Hemarthria <small>R.Br.</small>
Holcus <small>L.</small>
Hordeum <small>L.</small>
Imperata <small>Cirillo</small>
Isachne <small>R.Br.</small>
Koeleria <small>Pers.</small>
Lagurus <small>L.</small>
Leersia <small>Sw.</small>
Lepturus <small>R.Br.</small>
Leymus <small>Hochst.</small>
Lolium <small>L.</small>
Megathyrsus <small>(Pilg.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs</small>
Melica <small>L.</small>
Melinis <small>P.Beauv</small>
Milium <small>L.</small>
Miscanthus <small>Andersson</small>
Nardus <small>L.</small>
Nassella <small>(Trin.) ÃÂ.Desv.</small>
Oloptum <small>Röser & Hamasha</small>
Oplismenus <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Panicum <small>L.</small>
Parapholis <small>C.E.Hubb.</small>
Paspalum <small>L.</small>
Pentapogon <small>R.Br.</small>
Phalaris <small>L.</small>
Phleum <small>L.</small>
Phragmites <small>Adans.</small>
Phyllostachys <small>Siebold & Zucc.</small>
Poa <small>L.</small>
Polypogon <small>Desf.</small>
Pseudosasa <small>Nakai</small>
Rostraria <small>Trin.</small>
Sasa <small>Makino & Shibata</small>
Sasaella <small>Makino</small>
Secale <small>L.</small>
Sesleria <small>Scop.</small>
Setaria <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Simplicia <small>Kirk</small>
Sorghum <small>Moench</small>
Spinifex <small>L.</small>
Sporobolus <small>R.Br.</small>
Themeda <small>Forssk.</small>
Thinopyrum <small>ÃÂ.Löve</small>
Trisetum <small>Pers.</small>
Triticum <small>L.</small>
Urochloa <small>P.Beauv.</small>
Zea <small>L.</small>
Zizania <small>L.</small>
Zotovia <small>Edgar & Connor</small>
Zoysia <small>Willd.</small>
References