Chionochloa rigida, known commonly as narrow-leaved snow tussock and by its Māori name wī kura, is a species of tussock grass endemictoNew Zealand.[1][2] Two subspecies are recognised, including Chionochloa rigida rigida and Chionochloa rigida amara.[3][4]
| Chionochloa rigida | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Chionochloa |
| Species: |
C. rigida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chionochloa rigida (Raoul) Zotov | |
Found throughout the lower half of the South Island, from Banks Peninsula and east of the Southern Alps through to Southland.[5]
The subspecies C. rigida amara has a more western distribution and is found south of around 43°S in the Southern Alps.[3]
Prefers montane to low alpine zones, but is known to descend to sea level in Otago.[6][5] Prefers drier soils.[2]
The narrow-leaved snow tussock is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and Not Threatened by the Department of Conservation.[1][7]
