Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Carpha R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Carpha alpina R.Br. (1810)
 Description

Tufted. Culms (3)–6–30–(75) cm. × 0.5–1.5 mm., grooved, flaccid or rather rigid, occ. curved. Lvs , (5)–10–20–(30) cm. × 0.5–1.5–(2) mm., us. < but occ. > culms, rigid, lamina narrow-linear, flat or concavo-convex, tip obtuse; sheath broad, brown, shining; lower portion of lamina and mouth of sheath minutely serrulate. Infl. a terminal corymb, occ. condensed and almost forming a head, or spikelets in 4–6 loose stalked clusters; bracts subtending infl. 1–2, lf-like; bracts subtending spikelets more glume-like. Spikelets 8–12 mm. long, pale and shining, 1-fld. Glumes us. 5, lanceolate, ± obtuse, stiffly membr., keeled, the 2 lower shorter, the next larger pair subtending the fl., the fifth glume setaceous. Hypog. bristles 6, plumose with silky hairs almost to the tip, then scabrid, > glumes when mature. Nut 2.5–3 mm. long, slightly < 1mm. wide, trigonous, minutely punctulate, shortly stipitate, pale to dark brown, surmounted by the dried and rigid, long, narrow, smooth or minutely hairy style-base.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.; Fruiting: Feb.–Apr.

 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. [Not Threatened]