Family: Poaceae
Author: (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth
Bibliography: Taxon 39: 611 (1990)
Year: 1990
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Nassella
Vegetable: False
Observations: W. South America, SE. & S. Brazil to S. South America
Description
Chilean needlegrass, scientifically known as Nassella neesiana, is a significant member of the Poaceae family. This grass species holds a well-established presence predominantly across the southern regions of South America. Notably, it extends its habitat across Western South America and further stretches from Southeastern and Southern Brazil down to the southernmost reaches of the continent.
The genus, Nassella, is widely appreciated within the scientific community, and Nassella neesiana is no exception. First described in a pivotal study published in 1990 within the renowned botanical journal, Taxon 39, this species owes its formal classification to the expertise of scientists Trin. and Rupr., later refined by Barkworth.
Chilean needlegrass plays a crucial role within its native ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity and functioning of the habitats it thrives in. Its ability to adapt and flourish in varied South American climates showcases its resilience and ecological importance. Whether you encounter it in the sweeping grasslands of Brazil or the cooler, temperate regions further south, Nassella neesiana stands as a testament to the diverse and dynamic flora of South America.
Common Names
Eng: chilean needlegrass, chilean spear grass, uruguayan needlegrass, american needle-grass, chilean needle grass
Cym: plufwellt america
En: Chilean needlegrass, Chilean spear grass, Uruguayan tussockgrass, Chilean Neddle Grass, Uruguayan needlegrass, American Needle-grass, Chilean Needle Grass, Chilean Needle-grass
Fr: Stipe de Nees
De: Nees’ Pfriemengras
Pt-br: Capim-flecha, Flechilha, Flechilha-violeta
Es: Burru pastu
Cy: Plufwellt America
Synonyms
- Stipa contracta (Phil.)
- Nassella ligularis ((Griseb.) Barkworth & Torres)
- Stipa eminens var. micrantha (Kuntze)
- Stipa fernandeziana ((Trin. & Rupr.) Steud.)
- Stipa hispida (Phil.)
- Stipa sublaevis (Speg.)
- Urachne longiflora (Steud.)
- Stipa neesiana var. chilensis (Trin. & Rupr.)
- Stipa setigera var. glabrata ((Arechav.) Speg.)
- Stipa neesiana var. formicarioides (Burkart)
- Stipa neesiana var. ligularis (Griseb.)
- Stipa setigera var. longiaristata ((Arechav.) Roseng.)
- Stipa ligularis ((Griseb.) Speg.)
- Stipa setigera var. hispidula (Speg.)
- Stipa neesiana var. hispidula ((Speg.) Hack.)
- Stipa setigera f. purpurascens (Speg.)
- Stipa setigera f. pallida (Speg.)
- Stipa neesiana var. glabrata (Arechav.)
- Stipa neesiana var. gracilior (Burkart)
- Stipa neesiana var. hirsuta (Arechav.)
- Stipa neesiana var. longiaristata (Arechav.)
- Stipa longiflora (Steud.)
- Stipa neesiana (Trin. & Rupr.)
- Stipa neesiana var. fernandeziana (Trin. & Rupr.)
- Stipa neesiana f. depauperata (Hack.)
- Stipa neesiana f. contorta (Hack.)
- Stipa neesiana var. sublaevis ((Speg.) Speg.)
- Stipa intricata (Godr.)
- Stipa setigera f. versicolor (Speg.)
- Stipa trachysperma (Phil.)
- Stipa skottsbergii (Pilg.)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Chile South (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Juan Fernández Is. (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289831)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nassella neesiana (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:948410-1)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid