Flora of New Zealand Series

Small wiry tufts, usually to 10 cm high. Leaves < stems. Inflorescence a single erect dark red-brown head, 8-15 mm long, of 2-4 sessile, contiguous spikes with short glume-like bracts. Male flowers at base of spikes. Utricles wingless, scarcely beaked. Stigmas 2.

S. Nelson; Canterbury; Otago; Fiordland. Local in snow hollows, damp seepages, tarns; subalpine to alpine. (Europe, N. Asia, N. America)