Eragrostis minor, Host.

First recorded by Kirk in 1895, as occurring on a heap of ballast (from Buenos Ayres) in Wellington. Apparently not seen since.

Eragrostis Brownii, Nees

According to Kirk (1869) this grass was abundant over a large district at Keri Keri in the Bay of Islands, where it was first observed by H. T. Kemp in 1865. It was then spreading rapidly. In 1882 Cheeseman further reported it from Northern Wairoa, Whangarei, and near Auckland. In the Manual (1906) it is recorded as abundant in fields and waste places in the North Island.

Briza maxima, Linn. Trembling-grass

First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. Plentiful about Wellington in 1877 according to Kirk. Cheeseman in 1882 reports it from two or three localities in the neighbourhood of Auckland. In the Manual (1906) reported as an occasional garden escape.

Briza minor, Linn. Lesser Trembling-grass

First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864, then by Kirk in 1877 from Wellington. Very generally distributed in the north by 1882. In the Manual (1906) stated to be not uncommon in fields and waste places in both islands.

Dactylis glomerata, Linn. Cock's-foot Grass

Probably introduced early last century; first recorded in Hooker's list of 1864. Now (1917) one of the most abundant grasses in pastures and waste places throughout both islands. In many districts (e.g. in Banks' Peninsula), the harvesting of cock's-foot for seed, is one of the important events of the year. In New Zealand this grass has become a most agressive plant, and in light bush tends to crowd out all other undergrowth.

Cynosurus cristatus, Linn. Dog's-tail Grass

First recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list. In 1877 Kirk states that it is more generally naturalised in the Wellington district than any other grass. In 1882 Cheeseman reported it from the Auckland district as not uncommon in various parts on stiff soils. Now (1921) one of the most abundant grasses in the Dominion, especially in parts of the South Island.

Cynosurus echinatus, Linn.

In the Manual (1906) recorded, on the authority of Bishop Williams, as occurring in waste places near Gisborne. In 1919 Cheeseman recorded it from roadsides at Waihi.

Arundinaria macrosperma, Michx.

Reported by Cheeseman in 1882 as lingering in several old Maori cultivations, but cannot be looked upon as truly naturalised. In 1917 he states it still lingers on in one or two abandoned cultivations, but no instance has been observed of its reproducing itself.

Brachypodium pinnatum, Beauv.

I collected this grass in 1897 near the Ross Creek Reservoir, Dunedin, but have not found it since. It has not succeeded in establishing itself.

Poa annua, Linn. Annual Meadow-grass

Probably one of the earliest introduced grasses; first recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list. The commonest of all grasses on roadsides and in waste places, especially where regularly trodden on.

Poa compressa, Linn.

First recorded by Cheeseman in 1882 as occurring on the Auckland Isthmus, but not commonly. In the Manual (1906) reported as occurring, somewhat sparsely, in fields and waste places in the North Island.

Poa pratensis, Linn. Meadow-grass

No doubt a very early introduction; first recorded in Kirk's list of introduced plants in Great Barrier Island in 1867. One of the most abundant grasses in fields and waste places in all parts of New Zealand. In some districts, it takes exclusive possession of the pastures, and is most difficult to eradicate. It is in such parts looked on as a dangerous "couch" grass, and is a pest in cultivation.

Poa trivialis, Linn.

First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. In 1877 stated by Kirk to be frequent about Wellington and other places in the district. Reported by Cheeseman in 1882 from waste places about Auckland, and occasionally in pastures. In the Manual (1906) said to be not uncommon in fields and waste places throughout both islands.

Poa nemoralis, Linn.

First recorded from Southland in 1870 by the author; then by Cheeseman in 1882 as occurring in the Auckland Domain. In the Manual (1906) reported as occurring sparsely in shaded places in both islands.

Glyceria aquatica, Wahlenb. Reed-grass

First recorded from the Ashburton district in 1903 by W. W. Smith. Later by Petrie from the Taieri Plains and Catlins River. It is not uncommon in Otago and Southland.

Glyceria fluitans, R. Br.

First recorded by Buchanan in 1876 as occurring in Kawau. In 1877 Kirk reported it as common in many localities in Wellington district. In 1882 Cheeseman wrote that this grass "made its appearance in some wet places on the Auckland harbour reclamations, about two years ago, but has lately been destroyed." Reported by the author from the Taieri Plain in 1894. In the Manual (1906) reported to be not uncommon in wet places in both islands.

Atropis distans, Griseb.

Recorded by Cheeseman in the Manual (1906) as occurring not uncommonly in salt marshes in both islands.

Festuca elatior, Linn. Meadow Fescue

First recorded from Southland in 1870 by the author. In the Manual (1906) reported as not uncommon in meadows and pastures in both islands. A bad weed in wet pastures and flax areas of the Wellington district.

Festuca ovina, Linn. Sheep's Fescue

First recorded from Southland in 1870 by the author. In the Manual (1906) reported as not uncommon in pastures and waste places in both islands. This species is also indigenous in New Zealand, but there is no doubt that much, if not most, of the sheep's fescue is the introduced species. It ranges up to 4500 feet on the southern mountains.

Festuca rubra, Linn.

First recorded from Southland in 1870 by the author. The distribution is the same as that of the preceding species, and like it, the introduced form is probably more abundant than the indigenous. (See Appendix B, p. 563.)

Festuca Myurus, Linn.

First recorded in 1870 by Kirk from the Auckland district as F. sciuroides, and from Wellington in 1877. Writing of Auckland plants in 1882, Cheeseman stated: "the true plant is by no means abundant, but is increasing. The variety sciuroides = F. bromoides, Sm., is plentiful through the district." In the Manual (1906) it is stated to occur, not uncommonly in dry places, in both islands.

Festuca bromoides, Linn.

First recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list. In the Manual (1906) stated to be abundant in waste places and pastures in both islands.

Festuca pratensis, Hudson

First recorded from Southland in 1870 by the author. Does not seem to have established itself, and has not been met with since.

Sclerochloa rigida, Griseb. = (Glyceria rigida, Sm.)

First recorded by Kirk in 1895, as occurring on a heap of ballast (from Buenos Ayres), but stated by him to occur in Hawke's Bay, Otago, etc. In the Manual (1906) reported as occurring, but not commonly, in roadsides and waste places in both islands.

Bromus erectus, Huds.

First recorded from the Auckland district by Kirk in 1869. In the Manual (1906) reported as occurring, not uncommonly, in fields and waste places in both islands.

Bromus sterilis, Linn. Sterile Brome-grass

First recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list, and in 1877 by Kirk from Wellington. In 1882 Cheeseman reported it from Auckland as plentiful, especially in waste or sandy places near the sea. In the Manual (1906) reported as abundant in fields and waste places in both islands.

Bromus madritensis, Linn.

First recorded in 1870 by Kirk from the Auckland district. In the Manual (1906) stated to occur in "waste places and roadsides, apparently not common," in both islands.

Bromus tectorum, Linn.

First recorded from the Auckland district by Kirk in 1869. Cheeseman in 1906 states: "I have not seen New Zealand specimens.”

Bromus mollis, Linn. Soft Brome-grass

First recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list. An abundant weed in fields and waste places in most parts of New Zealand; useless for stock.

Bromus racemosus, Linn. Smooth Brome-grass

First recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list. Equally abundant as a weed, along with the preceding species, in fields and waste places.

Bromus commutatus, Schrad.

First recorded in 1864 in Hooker's list. Fairly abundant in most parts of New Zealand in fields and waste places.

Bromus patulus, Mert. and Koch.

First recorded from the Auckland district in 1869 by Kirk. Cheeseman, in the Manual (1906), has apparently overlooked this occurrence, and reports it as found on a ballast heap in Wellington by Kirk in 1895.

T. N. Z.

32

Bromus arvensis, Linn. Field Brome-grass

First recorded from the Auckland district by Kirk in 1869, and by Buchanan from Wellington in 1877. Stated by Cheeseman to occur in waste places near Auckland, but not commonly. In the Manual (1906) it is reported to occur in waste places in both islands.

Bromus vestitus, Thunb.

Recorded by Kirk in 1895 as occurring on a ballast heap in Wellington. Not observed again.

Bromus secalinus, Linn.

Recorded by W. W. Smith in 1903 from Ashburton County; not collected since.

Bromus unioloides, H. B. K.

First recorded in Kirk's list of Great Barrier plants in 1867 as B. Schraderi, and again from the Auckland district in 1869 as Ceratochloa unioloides. It was also collected in Wellington in 1877. In 1882 it was stated by Cheeseman to be the prevailing grass in many of the streets and waste places about Auckland, but as not so common in the country districts, as it will not bear close cropping. In the Manual (1906) it is stated to be abundant in fields and waste places in both islands. This does not hold for Otago and Southland, where it is uncommon.

Lolium perenne, Linn. Rye-grass

Probably introduced early last century. John Balleny, who visited Chalky Inlet in 1838, found it growing there "admirably.” Recorded later by Hooker in 1864. The most generally used pasture grass in New Zealand, abundant throughout the country. Carse has an interesting note on this species in his notes on the flora of Mongonui County (1915). He says:

As a rule, this grass is not very enduring, being subject to "rust," but near Kaitaia is a large area of river-flat, sown with this grass more than sixty years ago, where it has held its place without deterioration.

Lolium italicum, A. Br. Italian Rye-grass

First recorded in 1870 by Kirk from the Auckland district. In the Manual (1906) stated to be not uncommon in fields and pastures in both islands. It is, however, less permanent than the preceding species, except in the far north, where it seems to be the dominant form.