Carex leporina L.

Dense tufts; rhizome short. Stems 20–60–(120) cm high, 3-angled, scabrid just below inflorescence. Leaves 1.5–3.5 mm wide, usually < stems, ± flat, ± soft, bright green, sheaths light brown. Inflorescence a compact ovoid head 2.5–4–(6) cm long, of 3–5–(11) approximate, sessile, light green to light brown spikes; bracts glume-like and inconspicuous or > inflorescence and ± setaceous. Spikes androgynous, male flowers at base. Glumes = or slightly < utricles, light brown with paler green to brown midrib, acute. Utricles 4–4.5 × ± 2 mm, ovoid, plano-convex, distinctly nerved, with winged margins almost covered by glumes, scabrid towards the tapered beak of ± 1 mm long. Stigmas 2. Nut plano-convex, ± oblong.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3 as Carex ovalis Gooden.]