Poa kerguelensis

Poa kerguelensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Poa
Species:	P. kerguelensis
Binomial name
Poa kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Steud.
Synonyms
Triodia kerguelensis Hook.f. Festuca kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Hook.f. Tzvelevia kerguelensis (Hook.f.) Alekseev

Poa kerguelensis is a species of tussock grass native to various subantarctic islands. The specific epithet refers to the type locality – the Kerguelen Islands.

Description

Poa kerguelensis is a perennial grass growing as hummocks up to 80 mm high and 150 mm in diameter.

Distribution and habitat

The grass is found on the Heard, McDonald and Kerguelen Islands of the southern Indian Ocean. It grows on bare soil and in rocky areas where its hummocks trap wind-blown sand. On Heard Island it hybridises with Poa cookii It is a pioneer coloniser of recently deglaciated areas.