Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Cyperus L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Endl. ex Hassk. (1844)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. (1773)
  • = Kyllinga monocephala auct. non Rottb. nom. illeg.
Vernacular Name(s):
Globe sedge; Mullumbimby couch
 Description

Rhizome far-extending, with reddish-purple scales. Stems 1–30 cm high, slender, with 1–4 basal leaves. Leaves < stems, 1–2.5 mm wide, flat. Involucral bracts 2–4, leaf-like, spreading. Inflorescence a solitary sessile spike, rarely 2–3 spikes, ovoid or globose, 4–8 × 3–7 mm, greenish. Spikelets numerous, ± 3 mm long, each with 2 glumes but only 1 glume fertile, tightly clustered, much-compressed. Glumes membranous, with green keel produced to an excurrent recurved mucro, lower glume with 3 distinct nerves on each side, slightly < upper fertile glume which has 2 distinct nerves on each side. Stamen 1. Style-branches 2. Nut ± ½ length of glume, biconvex, obovoid or oblong-obovoid, light yellow-brown.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3 as Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1879: Notice of the Occurrence of the Genus Kyllinga in New Zealand. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 11: 434–435.
Govaerts, R.; Simpson, D.A.; Bruhl, J.J.; Egorova, T.; Goetghebeur, P.; Wilson, K. 2007: World checklist of Cyperaceae, sedges. Kew Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Larridon, I.; Bauters, K.; Reynders, M.; Huygh, W.; Goetghebeur, P. 2014: Taxonomic changes in C4 Cyperus (Cypereae, Cyperoideae, Cyperaceae): combining the sedge genera Ascolepis, Kyllinga and Pycreus into Cyperus s.l.. Phytotaxa 16(1): 33–48.
Tucker, G.C. 1984: A revision of the genus Kyllinga Rottb. (Cyperaceae) in Mexico and Central America. Novon 86(848): 507–538. [as Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.]
Tucker, G.C.; Marcks, B.G.; J.R. Carter 2003: Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part); Cyperaceae . Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.) Flora of North America. Vol. 23. Oxford University Press, New York.