Flora of New Zealand Series

Fig. 31B

Rhizome with globose woody tubers. Stems to 90 cm high. Leaves broad. Inflorescence usually a compact head of 3-6 large spikelets with longer leaf-like bracts. Hypogynous bristles ½ length of nut. Stamens 3. Style-branches 2. Nut lenticular with concave sides.

N. Scattered southwards from Kaipara Harbour; not known from Taranaki. S. Nelson; Marlborough; Canterbury; Otago as far south as Dunedin; scattered. Usually coastal in saline and sandy areas. (Australia)

With S. medianus and S. fluviatilis collectively known as Purua grass.

A locally troublesome weed of drains and waterways. Recognised by the woody tubers, stiffly erect, leafy, 3-angled emergent stems and large brown spikelets in congested or ± umbellate heads. An element of the so-called "cutty grass" complex.