danthonia Bot.
(dænˈθəʊnɪə)
[mod.L. (de Candolle & Lamarck Flore Fran{cced}aise (1805) III. 32), irreg. f. the name of {Eacu}tienne Danthoine, Fr. botanist + -ia1.]
A member of a large genus of tufted perennial pasture grasses so named, chiefly of Australia and New Zealand.
| [1863 Proc. Calif. Acad. Nat. Sci. II. 182 Danthonia Californica (California Oat Grass)..on borders of cultivated fields near the bay of Oakland. 1870 Trans. N.Z. Inst. II. 104 Danthonia semi-annularis, a variable grass found in nearly all soils and situations throughout the colony.] 1918 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. 20 Mar. 135 On poor tussock country..the use of danthonia invariably increases the carrying capacity. 1921 H. Guthrie-Smith Tutira xix. 167 On hard hill-tops and narrow ridges and knobs, danthonia and micrœlena had grouped themselves in little companies. 1952 A. R. D. Fairburn Three Poems 59 In time of drought The danthonia shines like a flame. 1955 Landfall IX. 108 The paddock of dry danthonia grass. |