Tussock (grass)

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Tussock , referred to as "bunch grass" in some countries, is the common name for a number of grass species.

Contents

[edit] Australia

Serrated tussock, introduced from South America, is a common pasture weed in Australia.

[edit] New Zealand

Tussock in the vicinity of Mount Ngauruhoe.
Tussock in the vicinity of Mount Ngauruhoe.
Exclusion plot on Island Saddle in the South Island of New Zealand. The enclosure prevents herbivory by introduced mammals resulting in a higher recruitment of tussocks within the plot.
Exclusion plot on Island Saddle in the South Island of New Zealand. The enclosure prevents herbivory by introduced mammals resulting in a higher recruitment of tussocks within the plot.

Tussock grasslands form expansive and distinctive landscapes in the South Island and to a lesser extent in the central plateau region of the North Island. Most of the plants referred to as tussocks are in the Carex, Chionochloa, Festuca and Poa genus.

What would be termed "herbfields" for northern hemisphere mountains are referred to as tussock herbfields due to a dominance of this type of plant. Species of the Chionochloa genus dominate in these areas. The larger tussocks are called snow grass (or less commonly as snow tussocks) and may grow up to 2 metres in height. They grow slowly and some specimens are estimated to be several centuries old.[1]

In New Zealand species that are referred to as "tussock" are:[2]

  • Alpine fescue tussock - Festuca matthewsii
  • Bergalia tussock - Carex longebrachiata
  • Blue shore tussock - Poa astonii
  • Blue tussock - Poa colensoi
  • Bristle tussock - Rytidosperma setifolium
  • Broad-leaved bush tussock - Chionochloa conspicua
  • Broad-leaved snow tussock - Chionochloa flavescens
  • Coastal tussock - Chionochloa bromoides
  • Curly snow tussock - Chionochloa crassiuscula
  • Fescue tussock - Festuca novae-zelandiae
  • Glen Murray tussock - Carex flagellifera
  • Hard tussock Festuca novae-zelandiae
  • longwood tussock - Carex comans
  • Mid-ribbed snow tussock - Chionochloa pallens
  • Mount Egmont tussock - Uncinia egmontiana
  • Narrow-leaved bush tussock - Chionochloa cheesemanii
  • Narrow-leaved snow tussock - Chionochloa rigida
  • Nassella tussock - Nassella trichotoma
  • Plumed tussock grass - Chionochloa conspicua
  • Red tussock - Chionochloa rubra
  • Rough poa tussock - Poa labillardierei
  • Rough poa tussock - Poa sieberiana
  • Sand tussock - Austrofestuca littoralis
  • Sedge tussock - Schoenus pauciflorus
  • Serrated tussock - Nassella trichotoma
  • Silver tussock - Poa cita
  • Slim snow tussock - Chionochloa macra
  • Snow tussock - Chionochloa spp
  • Snow-patch tussock - Chionochloa oreophila
  • Tussock bellflower - Campanula carpatica
  • Tussock bindweed - Convolvulus verecundus
  • Tussock grass Chionochloa australis
  • Tussock hawkweed Hieracium lachenalii
  • Tussock hawkweed Hieracium lepidulum
  • Tussock sedge - Carex appressa
  • Tussock swamp twig rush - Baumea juncea

A number of introduced tussocks have become invasive species which threaten agricultural production and indigenous biodiversity.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dawson, John (1988). Forest Vines to Snow Tussocks: The Story of New Zealand Plants. Wellington [N.Z.]: Victoria University Press, 264. ISBN 0864730470. 
  2. ^ Plant database - Landcare Research, New Zealand

[edit] External links

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