In the leaves and arrangement of the spikelets this approaches C. decurtata, but the narrow-ovoid trigonous utricle with its long serrate beak is quite different from the broad plano-convex utricle of C. decurtata. From C. uncifolia it also differs in the slender serrate beak of the utricle. From C. Berggreni it is removed by the green tapering acute leaves, and larger long-beaked utricles.
33. C. decurtata, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 414.—Small, densely tufted, glaucous-green. Culms short, 1–3 in. high, usually sheathed to the top by the leaves. Leaves numerous, much exceeding the culms, 2–6 in. long, 125–115 in. broad, flat, or concave in front and convex behind, rigid, coriaceous, grooved; tips incurved when dry; margins scabrid. Spikelets 3–5, usually concealed amongst the leaves, short, stout, about ¼ in. long, very closely approximate; terminal one male, erect; remainder all female, spreading, ovoid or ovoid-oblong, sessile or the lowest very shortly pedunculate. Glumes broadly ovate or almost orbicular, acute or cuspidate, thin and membranous, reddish-brown or chestnut with a paler centre and margins. Utricles rather longer than the glumes, broadly ovoid or elliptic-ovoid, plano-convex or unequally biconvex, turgid on the back, obscurely nerved; margins thick, serrate above; beak short, stout, sharply bidentate. Styles 3. Nut sharply trigonous. C. cryptocarpa, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 412, 435 (not of C. A. Mey.).
South Island: Canterbury—Margins of ponds near Lake Tekapo, altitude 2500 ft. December–February.
A very curious and distinct little species.
34. C. uncifolia, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 412.—Brownish-red or green, forming lax or dense spreading tufts. Culms short, 1–4 in. high, usually sheathed to the top by the leaves. Leaves numerous, spreading, far exceeding the culms, 3–10 in. long, 130–115 in. broad, rarely narrower and filiform, concave in front, convex on the back, grooved, tips often curled and twisted when dry; margins finely scabrid above. Spikelets 3–5, short, closely approximate or sometimes the lowest one remote, chestnut-brown to dark-brown, ⅙–¼ in. long; terminal one male, slender, erect; remainder all female, spreading, ovoid or oblong, all sessile or the lowest very shortly pedunculate. Glumes ovate, obtuse or cuspidate, membranous, chestnut-brown with a green centre; margins sometimes erose. Utricles longer than the glumes, narrowed at the base, elliptic-oblong, trigonous, more or less distinctly nerved, reddish-brown to blackish-brown, rarely pale; margins rounded, entire; beak very short, with an almost entire or obscurely 2-toothed mouth. Styles 3. Nut obovoid, trigonous.—Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 415.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Apparently not uncommon in mountain districts throughout. 2000–4000 ft. December–February.
