Flora of New Zealand Series

Type: Australian. A single specimen from Norfolk Id appears to be conspecific.

Tufts small, slender, annual. Culms 2–10–(16) cm. × c. 0.2 mm., filiform, occ. branched at the base. Lvs us. 1, much < culm, lamina filiform; sheath purple towards the base; or lf reduced to a mucronate sheath only. Infl. of 1–(2) spikelets; subtending bract often > infl., caducous. Spikelets 2.5–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm., ovate-elliptical, obtuse, pale cream or green to almost white. Glumes 1–1.5 mm. long, broadly elliptical or suborbicular, membr., distinctly nerved, white or grey, occ. with a brown patch on each side, strongly keeled, keel green, margins entire. Hypog. bristles 0. Stamens 3. Style-branches 3. Nut c. 0.5 × 0.5 mm., apiculate, trigonous or ± plano-convex, sides very rounded, stipitate, dark brown to black, shining or dull, noticeably reticulate.

DIST.: N. Wanganui, Foxton, Porirua and Hutt Valley. S. Christchurch.

Wet hollows in sand dunes or along drain margins.