Carex acicularis Boott
Small tufts usually 4-7 cm high; rhizomes short. Leaves setaceous. Inflorescence a solitary dark brown spike ± 5 mm long, lowermost glumes bract-like. Utricles with long scabrid beak; rhachilla enclosed. Stigmas 3.
N. Volcanic Plateau; Raukumara, Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. S., St. Damp ground in tussock grassland or herbfield or on rocky ground, subalpine to alpine.