Flora of New Zealand Series

Infl. a loose terminal cluster or corymb. Spikelets 1–2-fld, fls hermaphrodite, or occ. 1 of the 2 sterile. Glumes 4–5, distichous, 2 lowermost smaller, empty, upper glumes larger, 1–2 fertile. Hypog. bristles 3–6, plumose. Stamens 3. Style-branches 3. Nut trigonous, style-base persistent. Tufted, grass-like perennial herbs, lfy at base only.

The type sp. C. alpina, is recorded from Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and N.Z. The genus is confined to the S. Hemisphere and is reported also from S. Africa and S. America but its limits and therefore the number of spp. remain uncertain.