Flora of New Zealand Series

Perennial, stiff erect clumps c, 60 cm high. stems rigid, bearing several basal sheaths and leaves. Leaves much < stems ± rigid, narrow, subterete, channelled; lowest sheaths light brown, sheaths of upper leaves reddish-purple with short truncate cartilaginous auricles. Inflorescence 4-10 cm long, with several ± rigid branches, and very slender bract not much > inflorescence. Flowers many, sessile, evenly spaced and often second along branches or more clustered. Tepals 3.5-4.5 mm long, all ± equal, acuminate, spreading from capsule at maturity. Stamens 6. Capsule 3mm long, ± = or slightly < tepals, ovoid, shortly mucronate, shining, light brown.

N. North Auckland - Te Kao, Kaitaia; in disturbed soil. S. Otago - near Naseby; bed of old sludge channel. (N. and S. America)

First record: Healy 1970:154.

First collection: Between Naseby and Kyeburn, A.J. Healy and W.A. Lunn 58/325,21.2.1958.(CHR 55416).

J. dichotomus is likely to be confused only with J. tenuis from which it differs in the more rigid leaves, short cartilaginous auricles, and shorter more rigidly branched heads scarcely over-topped by the bract. The more slender N. Auckland plants lack the distinctive reddish colour of the Naseby specimens and seem to belong to a S. American form that has been distinguished as J. cognatus Kunth.