Flora of New Zealand Series

C. inversa R.Br. var. radicata Cheesem. in T.N.Z.I. 16, 1884, 425.

Original localities (for var. radicata): "Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, Canterbury, altitude 2,500 feet, T.F.C." Lectotype: AK, 2542, Lake Tekapo, T. F. Cheeseman, Jan., 1883.

Rhizomatous; often forming a dense sward, or in small circular patches. Rhizome 1–1.5 mm. diam., woody, much-branched, long-creeping, with shoots spaced singly and evenly along it, c. 1 mm. diam. at base. Culms 0.5–2.5–(4) cm. tall, completely hidden by the lf-sheaths; basal sheaths light grey-brown or chestnut. Lvs much > culms, 2–8–(10) cm. × c. 0.5 mm., plano-convex towards the tip, involute towards the base, wiry, margins scabrid especially towards the long trigonous tip. Infl. a pale green, compact head, 4–8 mm. long, orbicular-ovate, with (1)–2–3 crowded spikes, subtended by 2–3 lf-like bracts. Spikes androgynous, few-fld, male fls 1–3 at base of spike, occ. 0, female fls 3–8. Glumes < or rarely = utricles, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, hyaline, keel stout, green, 1–3-nerved. Utricles 3–4 × 1.5–2 mm., plano-convex, prominently nerved, light brown; contracted above to a narrow green beak c. 1.5 mm. long, margins minutely toothed, orifice bifid; stipe not markedly contracted, c. 0.1 mm. long. Stigmas 2. Nut c. 1.5 mm. long, plano-convex, obovoid to almost orbicular, brown, shining, shortly stipitate.

DIST.: N. Hawke's Bay and near Wellington. S. Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago.

Coastal on consolidated sand; inland in short-tussock grassland, in depleted pasture, or on very dry soil; occ. in damp ground in river beds or on lake margins; from sea level to 1,500 m. altitude.

Distinguished by the long-creeping rhizome with the shoots spread evenly along it.