Carex demissa Hornem.
Tufts ± dense. Stems variable, to 30 cm long and much > leaves, but often < leaves, erect or ± flaccid, smooth, subterete. Leaves 1.5-3 mm wide, channelled, dull yellow-green; ligule notched; sheaths almost white, becoming grey. Inflorescence of one terminal pedunculate male spike and 1-4 ± sessile, erect female spikes usually approximate at top of stem but often with a single female spike towards base of stem; subtending bracts > inflorescence, flaccid. Male spike to 2 cm × 2 mm; glumes light brown, ± 4 mm long, obtuse, light brown. Female spikes ± 1 cm × 5 mm; glumes < utricles, ovate, subacute, membranous, brown-tinged. Utricles ± 3 × 1 mm, glabrous, faintly nerved, inflated, yellow-green, obovoid, abruptly narrowed to a bifid beak to 1 mm long. Stigmas 3. Nut obovoid, trigonous.
N. North Auckland - Lake Omapere; Auckland; Taranaki; Wellington - Volcanic Plateau, Tararua Range. S. N.W. Nelson and Buller; Westland Fiordland; Canterbury (rare and local); Southland. Swampy ground. (Europe)
First record: Townson 1907: 426, as "C. flava L." There is an earlier record of C. flava by Cheeseman (T.N.Z.I. 16, 1883, 439) but his specimens are the native sp. C. flaviformis.
First collection: Charleston, W. Townson 506, undated (AK 2816).
C. demissa closely resembles the native C. flaviformis but may be recognized by the obviously pedunculate male spike and the yellow-green, rather than yellow-brown female spikes.
It is thoroughly established in some high rainfall localities e.g. Southland, Buller-Westland, forming a dense, low-growing, yellowish-green sward over large areas of wet soils, commonly associated with Juncus articulatus; local in other districts, especially under low rainfall. It is grazed to some extent by cattle, much less so by sheep.
C. serotina was recorded for N.Z. by Nelmes (Kew Bull. for 1955, 1955, 88) from a single small specimen at K mounted with specimens of C. demissa; all were from one gathering, Waimarino, Cook 1144, 7.1.1948. The small specimen appears to be only a depauperate C. demissa.
