Chionochloa

 ( Bunchgrasses Of Australasia ) 

Chionochloa is a genus of tussock grass in the family Poaceae, found primarily in New Zealand with one known species in New Guinea and another on Lord Howe Island (part of Australia).Zotov, Victor Dmitrievich 1963. Synopsis of the grass subfamily Arundinoideae in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 1: 78–136Connor, H. E. 1991. Chionochloa Zotov (Gramineae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 29: 219–282. Some of the species are referred to as snowgrass or snow tussock.

Most of the species in the genus grow in clumps, some up to tall. Red tussock dominates the tall tussock grasslands on the volcanic mountains of the North Island of New Zealand and can also be found in areas on the northern half of the South Island. Snow tussock, of which there are several species, can be found above the tree line together with other species.Edgar, E & Connor, H.E. (2010). Flora of New Zealand, ed. 2, 5: 1–650. R.E.Owen, Government Printer, Wellington

formerly included

• Chionochloa pallida – Rytidosperma pallidum