Flora of New Zealand Series

Lampocarya affinis Brong. in Duperrey Voy. Coq. Bot., Atl. Phan.  1829,  t. 29; text Phan. 1834, 166.

Morelotia gahniaeformis Gaud. var. minor A. Rich. Essai Fl. N.Z. 1832, 115.

Gahnia affinis (Brong.) Steud. Syn. Pl.  glum.  2,  1855, 164.

Gahnia arenaria Hook. f. Handbk N.Z. Fl.  1864,  306.

Mariscus affinis (Brong.) Kuntze Rev. Gen. Pl. 2,  1891,  755.

Machaerina affinis (Brong.) Kern in Acta bot. neerl.  11,  1962,  223.

Original locality: "Nelle Zélande." Type: P, D'Urville.

In scattered, harsh, lfy tufts, (20)–30–60 cm. high, from a stout, woody rootstock. Culms (1)–1.5–2.5 mm. diam., obtusely trigonous, not very scabrid. Lvs , much > culms, flat, curving, scabrid on the abaxial surface, 4–7 mm. wide, tapering to a filiform tip, which is curled when dry; margins scabrid, strongly revolute in dry old lvs; sheath very short compared to lamina, not demarcated from lamina by any transverse line but merely becoming broader, cream, with membr. margins. Panicle erect, rigid, (6)–9–20 cm. long, with short, ± distant branchlets subtended by rigid, scabrid, lf-like bracts. Spikelets 6.5–9 mm. long, narrow-lanceolate, shortly stalked. Glumes coriac., minutely puberulous, keel and margins finely scabrid; 4 outer glumes smaller, increasing in size, us. acuminate, 2 upper glumes much longer, acute, rigid; a seventh minute membr. glume subtending the uppermost sterile fl. Nut 2.5–3 × c. 1.5 mm., elliptic-oblong, red-brown to black and shining, with 3 longitudinal ribs, surmounted by a thickened, corky style-base which is very distinct in the immature fr.; ripe fr. retained on plant for a time by being entangled in the slightly elongated staminal filaments.

DIST.: N. Throughout, on dry, open clay hillsides or at the edge of scrub; sea level to 600 m. altitude. S. South-west Nelson.

Gahnia arenaria Hook. f. was based on Lampocarya affinis Brong.

Morelotia gahniaeformis Gaud. var. minor A. Rich. : Original locality, "Baie des Iles." Type: P.