Flora of New Zealand Series

Tufts small, slender. Stems usually to 10 cm but occasionally to 16cm high, filiform, occasionally branched at base. Leaves few, much < stems, filiform; sheaths purple towards base. Inflorescence of 1-(2) spikelets; bract often > inflorescence, caducous. Spikelets 2.5-3.5 mm long, ovate-elliptical, obtuse, pale cream or pale green. Glumes 1-1.5 mm long, membranous, distinctly nerved, white or grey, sometimes with a brown patch on each side, strongly keeled, keel green. Hypogynous bristles 0. Stamens 3. Stigmas 3. Nut ± 0.5 mm long, trigonous or ± plano-convex, apiculate, dark brown to black.

N. Wellington - west coast, Hutt Valley. S. Canterbury - Christchurch. Wet hollows in sand dunes or along drain margins (Australia, Norfolk Id)

First record: Blake 1940: 182

First collection: Foxton, Allan, 1.1.1932. (CHR 2923).