Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Scirpus L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Scirpus polystachyus F.Muell. (1855)
 Description

Robust leafy clumps to 1.5 m high. Stems ± 3-angled, leafy at base and with 3–5 evenly spaced cauline leaves. Leaves numerous, much < stems, to 5 mm wide, channelled but flattened, strongly keeled, margins and keel finely scabrid; sheaths light reddish-brown, shining. Inflorescence a terminal compound irregular umbel with many unequal erect rays; secondary rays slender, ± drooping at maturity; leaf-like bract c 3, > inflorescence, upper bracts dark brown, strongly nerved. Spikelets ± 4 mm long, ovate, in clusters of 2–5 at tips of rays. Glumes ± 1.5 mm long, light brown to olive, membranous, darker towards tip, midrib thickened, not excurrent. Hypogynous bristles many, filiform, much > nut, folded, twisted and very conspicuous at maturity. Stamens 3. Stigmas 3. Nut ± 0.7 mm long, ± trigonous but dorsal angle not well marked, cream.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Coloniser]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
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. [Coloniser]
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. [Coloniser]
Wardle, P. 1991: Vegetation of New Zealand. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.