Flora of New Zealand Series

Rhizome with globose woody tubers. Stems to 1.5 m high. Leaves broad. Inflorescence a compound irregular umbel with leaf-like bracts. Hypogynous bristles < nut. Stamens. 3. Style-branches 3 or 2. Nut plano-convex to trigonous with convex sides.

N. North Auckland - southwards from Kaipara Harbour; Auckland; Gisborne; Hawkes Bay; Taranaki - Egmont Coast; Wellington - near Lake Taupo. S. Nelson; Marlborough; Westland; local. Saline or freshwater swamps, coastal or often inland. (Australia)

II. Inflorescence apparently lateral with a single stem-like bract, or ebracteate. A. Thick woody, rhizome.