Luzula rufa Edgar var. rufa
Type: CHR, 113686, Alluvial terrace below Trig K, Acheron R., Canterbury, 2,700 ft, H. Nordenskiöld S 64 and H. E. Connor, 30/12/1957.
Lvs 2.5–6 mm. wide, red-green, margin us. only slightly villous, tips obtuse. Flowering stems (8)–15–30–(70) cm. tall, > 0.5 mm. diam. Fls > 2 mm. long. 2n = 12.
DIST.: S. Common on the eastern side of the Southern Alps, very rare on the west. St.
Tussock grassland to 1,700 m. altitude.
Most plants of var. rufa are distinct from other Luzula spp. because of their red-brown compact infl. and rather thick reddish green lvs. Geographical variants occur. Rhizomatous plants are found in Otago, Fiordland and Stewart Id, while plants with several lateral clusters in the infl. are most common in Central Otago. In the north the tepals are often dark red-brown, while in the south the capsules may be almost black at the tips. Small plants of var. rufa may occ. resemble var. albicomans especially in early summer when young lvs are more villous than when full grown.
In N.Z. herbaria specimens of L. rufa have been commonly placed under L. campestris var. australasica (Steud.) Buch.
