Flora of New Zealand Series

Stems to 30 cm high, ± slender. Leaves, much < stems, ± 2.5 mm wide, flat. Inflorescence of 3-4 spikes; uppermost spike male, very short, only c. ⅔ length of female spike just below, glumes with exceptionally long awns; female spikes ± 2 cm × 5 mm, on rather stiff erect peduncles. Glumes light brown, very narrow, with long awns almost = utricles. Utricles ± 3.5 × 1.5 mm, ± trigonous, turgid, oblong or ovoid, dull dark brown, strongly many-nerved, narrowed abruptly to a small, light brown, shortly bidentate beak. Stigmas 3. Nut trigonous, cream.

N. North Auckland - "near Kaitaia, Mangonui Co.," R. H. Matthews, 5.12.1904 (CHR 291125); other specimens at K and CHR collected by Matthews from Lake Tangonge are undated: only N.Z. collections. (Australia, New Guinea, Japan)

First record: Cheeseman 1906: 834.