Flora of New Zealand Series

Taprooted perennial. Stems much-branched, prostrate, ascending at apex, 5-15-(30) cm long; internodes glabrous, not hidden by lvs. Lvs opposite or appearing whorled, narrow-elliptic to oblanceolate, with tapering to sessile base, acute, 4-7-(10) × 0.5-2 mm; mucro (0.3)-0.5-1 mm long; hairs short, directed forward. Stipules ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, silvery, scarious, ciliolate or glabrous, 2-3.5 × 0.5-1.5 mm. Bracts similar to stipules. Fls ± sessile; sepals equal, persistent, usually glabrous, rarely with a few hairs at base only, oblong, 1-veined, hooded and awned, 1-1.5 × 0.8-1 mm; margin membranous; awn erecto-patent, c. 1/2 length of sepal. Petals usually 0, rarely vestigial. Stamens < sepals. Style short, with 2-(3) divergent arms. Fr. obovoid to subglobose, papillate, about 1 mm long. Seeds subglobose, yellowish brown, smooth, 0.8 mm long.

N.: Bay of Plenty (Pikowai, Kawarau, Whakatane).

S. Brazil, Uruguay, N.E. Argentina 1981

Stony or sandy grassland and rough lawns.