Flora of New Zealand Series

Coarse tufts from a far-extending rhizome. Stems half buried in sand and much < grey-green leaves. Spikes 3-7, ± approximate. Utricles much > glumes, 6-7.5 mm long, corky, turgid, light yellow-brown, not or faintly nerved. Stigmas 3.

N., S., St., Ch. Coastal sands; inland in Canterbury at Mt Somers. (Japan, China, Korea, Lord Howe Id, Australia, Tasmania, Chile)

Cheeseman (Man. N.Z. Fl. 1925, 277) notes that C. pumila is "Very distinct from any other New Zealand species. The long running rhizomes, glaucous keeled leaves and large smooth and turgid utricles are conspicuous characters".

In early stages of breaking-in coastal dune country, C. pumila sometimes persists with Ammophila arenaria and Desmoschoenus spiralis, since all three may regenerate from pieces of rhizome severed during cultivation.

The occurrence of C. pumila inland at Mt Somers (CHR 122789) on the bank of the Rangitata-Highbank diversion channel indicates introduction by machinery.