Carex demissa Hornem.

Tufts ± dense. Stems variable, to 30 cm long and much > leaves, but often < leaves, erect or ± flaccid, smooth, subterete. Leaves 1.5–3 mm wide, channelled, dull yellow-green; ligule notched; sheaths almost white, becoming grey. Inflorescence of one terminal pedunculate male spike and 1–4 ± sessile, erect female spikes usually approximate at top of stem but often with a single female spike towards base of stem; subtending bracts > inflorescence, flaccid. Male spike to 2 cm × 2 mm; glumes light brown, ± 4 mm long, obtuse, light brown. Female spikes ± 1 cm × 5 mm; glumes < utricles, ovate, subacute, membranous, brown-tinged. Utricles ± 3 × 1 mm, glabrous, faintly nerved, inflated, yellow-green, obovoid, abruptly narrowed to a bifid beak to 1 mm long. Stigmas 3. Nut obovoid, trigonous.

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