Flora of New Zealand Series

Wiry perennial. Stems decumbent to ascending, terete, with uniform sparse to dense fine hairs, rarely glabrous, (2)-5-15-(30) cm long. Lvs yellowish green, sessile, linear to subulate, acute, connate in pairs, ciliate near base, 3-8 × 0.5-0.7 mm; lf axil often containing a reduced leafy shoot. Fls solitary, long-pedunculate. Bracts 2, linear to lanceolate, acute, 2-4 mm long; margins scarious. Peduncle erect, (20)-30-60 mm long. Sepals ovate, acute, not veined, (2.5)-3-5 mm long, glabrous; margins scarious. Petals = or > sepals. Stamens 10. Capsule ovoid, = calyx. Seeds pale brown, 0.8-1 mm long; papillae narrow, pale.

N.: Hikurangi, Kaweka, Kaimanawa and Ruahine Ranges; S.: Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Westland, Otago.

Endemic.

Riverbeds and open places in tussock grassland.

FL Oct-Feb FT (Oct)-Jan-Mar-(Jun).

The record of Sagina nodosa for N.Z. is based on a specimen of Stellaria gracilenta.