About Chionochloa flavicans Zotov
Chionochloa flavicans Zotov is a grass species that is endemic to New Zealand. Its leaves can grow up to 12 mm wide, which are larger than the leaves of most similar tussock species. The species produces plumes in summer; the presence of these plumes gives it a visual resemblance to toetoe species, leading it to sometimes be called miniature toetoe, a name that is botanically incorrect. Young plumes start out green, and turn light brown as they age. While its scientific name is very similar to that of Chionochloa flavescens, the two species look quite different in appearance. Thanks to its distinctive plumes, C. flavicans is one of the easier Chionochloa species to identify. A distinct form of the species, C. flavicans forma temata, grows on Te Mata Peak near Havelock North. Because it requires very little maintenance, C. flavicans is widely planted by councils and used in highway landscaping. It is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand, where it occurs on the Coromandel Peninsula and across the region from East Cape to Hawke's Bay.
