Flora of New Zealand Series

Broad-leaved Rush

Tufted, grass-like perennial, with leafy offsets. Stems 15-75 cm high, > leaves. Leaves 6-15 mm wide, flat, of thin texture, tapering gradually from the wide base to a small fine point, bluish-green, occasionally reddish-tinged near margins and tips; sheaths red. Inflorescence 10-26 cm long, open, with many spreading branches. Flowers in clusters of 3-12 at tips of branches, clusters ± 10 mm diam. Tepals 3.5-4.5 mm long, ± equal. Stamens 6. Capsules c. 3 mm long, < tepals, narrow, acute, dark brown.

S. Nelson - from Westport southwards; Westland. Occasional to locally common in swampy places (S. Africa)

First record: [Healy] 1969: 117.

First collection: "Coast north of Charleston, Buller Co., small Typha swamp", R. Mason and N. T. Moar 2437, 11.2.1953 (CHR 81290)

A distinctive plant, characterised by the very broad, blue-green leaves - widest of any sp. in N.Z. - and red sheaths.

Has the appearance of a tufted, glaucous, wide-leaved grass, and could be mistaken for a grass when it occurs in colonies in damp pastures, or about swamps and forest margins.