Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Schoenoplectus (Rchb.) Palla
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Schoenoplectus pungens (Vahl) Palla (1903)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Scirpus pungens Vahl (1806)
  • = Fimbristylis rara R.Br.
  • = Scirpus novae-zealandiae Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 18: 277 (1885 [1886]) – as Scirpus novæ-zealandiæ
Vernacular Name(s):
three-square
 Description

Summer-green perennial. Rhyzome 2–8 mm. diam., woody, with thin, grey, papery scales at the nodes and reddish fibrous roots. Culms (15)–30–60–(120) cm. × 1–4 mm., triquetrous, with concave sides, smooth, soft, pale sea-green; 1–2 thin, membr. sheaths at base. Lvs 1–4, < stem, 1–3 mm. wide, linear, channelled, becoming triangular with margins sparingly scabrid towards the obtuse tip, adaxial surface membr. with internal septa clearly visible; sheaths long, closed, largely membr. Infl. apparently lateral, of 1–4 unequal, closely compacted, sessile spikelets; subtending bract 2–6 cm. long, similar to stem and continuous with it, scabrid towards the tip. Spikelets 6–11×3–5 mm., ovate, elliptic, dark purple-brown. Glumes broadly ovate, smooth, membr., margins fimbriate, emarginate, midrib produced to a mucro <, = or rarely slightly > small, round teeth of glume apex. Hypog. bristles 2–6, < nut, retrorsely scabrid, red-brown. Stamens 3. Style-branches 3. Nut c. 3×2 mm., obovoid, plano-convex to subtrigonous, prominently apiculate, smooth, grey-brown.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1886 ("1885"): A description of some newly-discovered and rare indigenous plants: being a further contribution towards the making known the botany of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 18: 256–287.
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]
Wilson, K.L. 1981: A synopsis of the genus Scirpus sens. lat. (Cyperaceae) in Australia. Telopea 2(2): 153–172.