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Alpine fescue tussock
Festuca matthewsii

Diagnostic features for identification in the field

  • This tussock is similar to it's lower altitude cousin, Fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zealandiae), but instead of rough leaves, has leaves which are fine and smooth.

  • A small bluish-green or tawny tussock 15 - 40 cm tall.

  • Leaves are narrow, rolled and smooth.

  • Flower stem is borne above the height of the leaves. A lax head with flattened spikelets (1-1.5cm long) with 5 to 7 flowering glumes in each, with awns.

  • Small tussocks may also be confused with blue tussock ( Poa colensoi). Check that awns are indeed present.

    References:
    • Mark, A.F. and Adams, N. 1996. New Zealand Alpine Plants. Reed Methuen.
    • Wardle, P. 1991. Vegetation of New Zealand. Cambridge Press, Cambridge.

    Description of community and habitat

     Alpine fescue tussock is widespread in mountain regions almost throughout the South Island, between 700 to 1500m a.s.l.

    East of the Main Divide, South Island
    Snow tussock communities (C. macra or C. rigida) which have been opened up by repeated burning, have a reduced snow tussock cover. Alpine fescue can predominate in low alpine open snow tussock grasslands. Where snow tussock cover has been severely depleted by grazing and burning, an induced Festuca matthewsii short tussock grassland community occurs. In Central Otago, F. matthewsii occurs with blue tussock (Poa colensoi) at mid to high altitudes. On the Dunstan Mountains, it occupies northwest facing slopes, while on the Old Man Range, it is confined to the drier northern end, where rainfall reaches 700mm (Mark, ). In Central Otago, this community can be dominated by golden spaniard (Aciphylla aurea) on the north and east faces of the Pisa Range, southern Dunstan Mountains, and arond Duffers Saddle on the Carrick/Old Woman Ranges.

    In the Mackenzie Ecological District, inland Canterbury, alpine fescue tussock grasslands tend to be found at higher altitudes, or on shaded slopes down to 550m, where grazing and burning has removed all or some of the original snow tussock cover.

    In Marlborough, alpine fescue tussock grows with bristle tussock (Rytidosperma setifolia) at high altitudes.

    In the wetter ranges closer to the Main Divide, where annual rainfall can be in excess of 4000mm, a short tussock grassland, with alpine fescue tussocks present has been induced through the depletion of taller vegetation (Chionochloa tussock or woody species). Some snow tussocks are still present.

    References:
    • Mark, A.F. 1984. Old Man Range. New Zealand's Nature Heritage, part 19 vol 2: 524-531.
    • Wardle, P. 1991. Vegetation of New Zealand. Cambridge Press, Cambridge.

    Other species present

     East of the Main Divide, South Island
    Alpine fescue tussock commonly grows with blue tussock (Poa colensoi), and mat daisy (Raoulia subsericea) in Otago and Canterbury. An occasional snow tussock can be present. In some areas, e.g. Carrick Range, Dunstan Mountains, upper Nevis Flats in Central Otago, golden spaniard (Aciphylla aurea), which is tolerant of burning and is not a desirable plant for stock, is co-dominant or locally dominant. Other fire resistant plants which may be present are Rytidosperma pumila, Raoulia grandiflora, Luzula rufa, Leucopogon fraseri and Gaultheria depressa. In Marlborough, it commonly grows with bristle grass (Rytidosperma setifolia).

    In Central Otago, where alpine fescue occurs in association with open slim-leaved or narrow-leaved tussock, other species may include blue tussock, Celmisia lyallii, Gaultheria depressa, Kelleria dieffenbachii, Lycopodium fastigiatum, Wahlenbergia albomarginata and Raoulia subsericea.

    In the wetter ranges closer to the Main Divide, alpine fescue tussock is associated with avalanche grass (Poa cockeaneana), Elymus nardus, E. tenuis and Trisetum antarcticum.

    This information was taken from Wardle, P.; 1991. Vegetation of New Zealand, Cambridge Press, Cambridge.

    Vegetation History

     Much of the mountainlands to the east of the Main Divide were covered in forests prior to 700 - 900 years ago. These were largely destroyed by fire prior to European settlement, leading to a migration of tussock species into previously forested areas.

    In Canterbury, slim-leaved snow tussock (together with C. rigida) naturally occupying alpine areas above the timberline, migrated downslope into penalpine, subalpine and even montane environments. Presumably, alpine fescue tussock naturally occurred within these snow tussock communities.

    These communities have subsequently been modified by grazing and burning, resulting in the opening up and depletion of the snow tussocks, and, where present, a corresponding dominance of alpine fescue tussock.

    References:
    • Wardle, P. 1991. Vegetation of New Zealand. Cambridge Press, Cambridge.
    • Connor, H.E. and Macrae, A.H. 1969.Montane and subalpine tussock grasslands in Canterbury. Chapter 9 In: Knox G.A. (Ed.) The natural history of Canterbury, pp 167-204. Reed, Wellington.