Poa kerguelensis

Poa kerguelensis
Scientific 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 (Hook.f.) Steud.
Synonyms
Triodia kerguelensis Hook.f. Festuca kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Hook.f. Tzvelevia kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Alekseev

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]

Description[]

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

Distribution and habitat[]

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[]

Notes[]

Sources[]

• 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. doi:10.2307/3237225. JSTOR 3237225.
• "Poa kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Steud". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. Retrieved 2011-03-03.