Flora of New Zealand Series

Type locality: "Plains near Taupo". Type: K, Colenso 2383. This gathering is represented by WELT 22701 in Herb. Colenso.

Plants forming extensive grass-like swards; underground stems 1–2 mm. diam., to several cm. long. Lvs crowded in tufts of 6–8, distichous; lamina 1–6 cm. × 1.5–2.5–(4) mm., subfleshy, often glaucous, longitudinally folded, strongly keeled towards base; sheath to 1 cm. long, with conspicuous nerves; 2–3 subfloral lvs short and sheath-like, surrounding the base of the almost sessile fl. and fr. Fl. white to blue, large for size of plant; tepals c. 11–15 × 5 mm., the inner 3 slightly narrower. Stamens c. ½ tepal-length; filaments thicker towards base and there yellow and very finely puberulous. Style reaching to about anther-level; ovules c. 6 in each locule. Capsule c. 6.5 mm. long and slightly fleshy when fresh, when dry c. 4 mm. long and rather deeply sulcate, the valves horny at dehiscence. Seeds c. 2.2 mm. long, ± flattened, black, smooth, shining, us. fewer than ovules, sts only 1–2 per locule. 2n = 16.

DIST.: N., S., St.

In peaty places from c. 37º southwards, at higher altitudes in more northerly localities.

FL. 11–2. FT. 12–3.