Flora of New Zealand Series

 C. inconspicua Col. in T.N.Z.I. 28, 1896, 612 non Steud. Syn. Pl. glum. 2, 1855, 221.

Type locality: "tops of Ruahine Mountains". Type: K, Colenso 1574; isotype at WELT.

Very shortly rhizomatous. Culms (2)–4–7–(20) cm. × c. 0.5 mm., terete, smooth; basal sheaths chestnut-brown or yellow-brown. Lvs slightly < culms, c. 0.5 mm. wide, setaceous, plano-convex or canaliculate, strict, dark green, margins scabrid towards the obtuse tip. Infl. a solitary spike, c. 5 mm. long, the lowermost glumes bract-like, female fls (2)–5–6, equalling or overtopping the male fls. Glumes > or = utricles, ovate, acute, brown, midrib green. Utricles (3)–3.5–5 × c. 1 mm., lanceolate, smooth; tapering to a dark beak 1–2 mm. long, with scabrid margins and oblique orifice; stipe c. 1 mm. long. Stigmas 3. Nut c. 2 mm. long, oblong-trigonous, smooth. Rhachilla enclosed within utricle, = or slightly > nut, linear, margins scabrid, apex with a minute red appendage.

DIST.: N. Raukumara, Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. S. Mountains throughout. St.

Damp ground in tussock grassland or herbfield or on rocky ground, (960)–1,200–1,800 m. altitude.

C. inconspicua Col. Type, AK, 2469, Ruahine Mountains, A. Olsen, 1895; isotype at WELT.