GRASSES OF NEW-ZEALAND .8. AUSTRALOPYRUM (TRITICEAE, GRAMINEAE) IN NEW-ZEALAND

Australopyrum calcis, a self-compatible, triticoid grass of restricted distribution, is described as new; it comprises two subspecies, ssp. calcis, and ssp. optatum; both are associated with limestone. This is the first species of Australopyrum recognised as endemic to New Zealand, and the first endemic diploid (2n = 14) grass found here. The karyotype is the same as in Australian A. pectinatum, and the SAT-chromosome pair is similar to other genera in the tribe Triticeae. Two Australian species are naturalised here, A. retrofractum since mid-19th century, and A. pectinatum, only recently re-collected.