About Chionochloa rigida (Raoul) Zotov
Chionochloa rigida (Raoul) Zotov is a species of tussock grass endemic to New Zealand. It is commonly called narrow-leaved snow tussock, and its Māori name is wī kura. Two subspecies are currently recognised: Chionochloa rigida rigida and Chionochloa rigida amara.
This grass is distributed across the entire lower half of New Zealand’s South Island, ranging from Banks Peninsula and areas east of the Southern Alps through to Southland. Subspecies C. rigida amara has a more western distribution, and occurs south of approximately 43°S in the Southern Alps.
Chionochloa rigida prefers habitats in montane to low alpine zones, though it is documented growing down to sea level in Otago. It also favours drier soils.
