Flora of New Zealand Series

Large coarse tufts. Stems to 2.5 m high, 3-angled, smooth. Leaves 15-20 mm wide, < stems, rigid, ± flat; sheaths red-brown. Inflorescence of large, long, pendulous spikes. Male spike 1, 10-15 cm × 3-4 mm; glumes light brown, very narrow, ± 5 mm long. Female spikes 4-5, distant, to 12 cm × 5 mm, very dense-flowered; uppermost spikes sessile, peduncles of lower spikes enclosed by sheaths of long, leaf-like bracts; glumes ± = utricles, ovate, acute to mucronate, reddish-brown. Utricles ± 3 × 1.5 mm, ovoid-elliptical, nerved, glabrous, membranous, beak very narrow, ± 0.4 mm long, slightly notched. Stigmas 3. Nut obovoid, trigonous, shortly stipitate.

S. Canterbury - "Otahuna, Tai Tapu, margin of plantation", A. J. Healy, 7.2.1962 (CHR 143709); only known occurrence. (Europe, W. Asia, N. Africa)

First record: Healy 1968: 288.

The tallest growing, broadest-leaved Carex in N.Z., and the only adventive sp. which appears to be a horticultural escape. At "Otahuna" it has established itself on grassy banks, in and about a mixed plantation, and through a homestead shrubbery, and could be a nuisance in such habitats should it become more widespread.