Flora of New Zealand Series

Perennial, grass-like, in stiff tufts (15) -20-60- (90) cm high, often lax if longer. Stems with up to 6 usually basal leaves. Leaves slender but tough, < stems, usually flat; auricles large, tongue-like, 2-4 times as long as broad, membranous, subacute. Inflorescence variable in form and size, strict or diffuse with unequal branches, the longest to 12 cm, subtending bracts 1-several, slender, leaf-like, usually much > inflorescence. Flowers sessile, in clusters of 2-3 or borne singly but contiguously at branchlet tips, rarely more spaced along branchlets. Tepals 3.5-4.5 mm long, tapered, acute. Stamens 6. Capsule c. 3 mm long, < tepals, ovoid, obtuse but slightly mucronate, greenish-brown.