Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Carex imbecilla K.A.Ford in Global Carex Group, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 179: 33 (2015)
Synonymy:
  • Uncinia gracilenta Hamlin, 19: 57-58 (1959)
Etymology:
The name refers to the fragile habit of this species.
 Description

Loosely caespitose. Culms (10)–20–40–cm. × c. 0.5 mm., glab. or rarely scabrid below infl.; basal sheaths dark brown, shining. Lvs 4–6 per culm, us. > culm, (1)–1.5–2 mm., wide, dark green, margins moderately scabrid. Spikes 5–7 cm. × c. 2 mm., us. bracteate, the bract lf-like and far overtopping spike, or setose and shorter than spike, female fls c. 15–20, ± equidistant in lower part of spike with internodes to 6 mm. long, c. 2 mm. apart above. Glumes < utricles, deciduous, acuminate, hyaline with green midrib. Utricles 4–5 × c. 1mm., trigonous, elliptic-lanceolate or oblong, green, faintly nerved with the lateral nerves more prominent, scarcely spreading when ripe, stipe 1–1.5 mm. long, beak c. 1mm. long.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2. as Uncinia gracilenta Hamlin]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [as Uncinia gracilenta Hamlin] [Not Threatened]
Global Carex Group 2015: Making Carex monophyletic (Cyperaceae, tribe Cariceae): a new broader circumscription. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 179: 1–42.
Hamlin, B.G. 1959: A Revision of the Genus Uncinia (Cyperaceae Caricoideae) in New Zealand. Dominion Museum Bulletin 19: 1–106.