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 – a total of 285, including one eradicated species and 54 casually–naturalised 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 alphabetically 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 P.Beauv.
Agrostis L.
Aira L.
Alopecurus L.
Amelichloa Arriaga & Barkworth
Ampelodesmos Link
Amphibromus Nees
Andropogon L.
Anemanthele Veldkamp
Anthosachne Steud.
Anthoxanthum L.
Aristida L.
Arrhenatherum P.Beauv.
Arundo L.
Australopyrum (Tzvelev) Á.Löve
Austroderia N.P.Barker et H.P.Linder
Austrostipa S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Avena L.
Avenella L.
Axonopus P.Beauv.
Bambusa Schreb.
Bouteloua Lag.
Bothriochloa Kuntze
Brachypodium P.Beauv.
Briza L.
Bromus L.
Buchloe (Nutt.) Engelm.
Calamagrostis L.
Catapodium Link
Cenchrus L.
Chascolyptrum Lam.
Chasmanthium Link
Chimonobambusa Makino
Chionochloa Zotov
Chloris Sw.
Chusquea Kunth
Connorochloa Barkworth, S.W.L.Jacobs & H.Q.Zhang
Coix L.
Cortaderia Nees
Cymbopogon Spreng.
Cynodon Rich.
Cynosurus L.
Dactylis L.
Dactyloctenium Willd.
Danthonia DC.
Deschampsia P.Beauv.
Dichanthelium (Hitchc. & Chase) Gould
Digitaria Haller
Diplachne Lam.
Distichlis Raf.
Echinochloa P.Beauv.
Echinopogon P.Beauv.
Ehrharta Thunb.
Eleusine Gaertn.
Elytrigia Desv.
Entolasia Stapf
Eragrostis Wolf
Festuca L.
Gastridium P.Beauv.
Glyceria R.Br.
Hainardia Greuter
Helictotrichon Besser
Hemarthria R.Br.
Himalayacalamus Keng f.
Holcus L.
Hordeum L.
Imperata Cirillo
Isachne R.Br.
Koeleria Pers.
Lachnagrostis Trin.
Lagurus L.
Leersia Sw.
Lepturus R.Br.
Leymus Hochst.
Lolium L.
Megathyrsus (Pilg.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs
Melica L.
Melinis P.Beauv
Microlaena R.Br
Milium L.
Miscanthus Andersson
Nardus L.
Nassella (Trin.) É.Desv.
Oloptum Röser & Hamasha
Oplismenus P.Beauv.
Panicum L.
Parapholis C.E.Hubb.
Paspalum L.
Pentapogon R.Br.
Phalaris L.
Phleum L.
Phragmites Adans.
Phyllostachys Siebold & Zucc.
Piptochaetium J.Presl
Pleioblastus Nakai
Poa L.
Polypogon Desf.
Pseudosasa Nakai
Puccinellia Parl.
Rostraria Trin.
Rytidosperma Steud.
Saccharum L.
Sacciolepis Nash
Sasa Makino & Shibata
Sasaella Makino
Secale L.
Semiarundinaria Nakai
Sesleria Scop.
Setaria P.Beauv.
Simplicia Kirk
Sorghum Moench
Spinifex L.
Sporobolus R.Br.
Stenostachys Turcz.
Stenotaphrum Trin.
Themeda Forssk.
Thinopyrum Á.Löve
Trisetum Pers.
Triticum L.
Urochloa P.Beauv.
Zea L.
Zizania L.
Zotovia Edgar & Connor
Zoysia Willd.
References