Carex. | CYPERACES. 827 
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 dif- 
ferent from the broad plano-convex utricle of C. decurtata. From C. wneifolia 
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—-6in. long, ;,—, 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 +1n. 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 chest- 
nut with a paler centre and margins. Utricles rather longer than 
the glumes, broadly ovoid or elliptic-ovoid, plano-convex or un- 
equally biconvex, turgid on the back, obscurely nerved; margins 
thick, serrate above; beak short, stout, sharply bidentate. Styles 
3. Nut sharply trigonous. C. eryptocarpa, Cheesem. in Trans. 
N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 412, 485 (not of C. A. Mey.). 
Sout Istanp: Canterbury—Margins of ponds near Lake Tekapo, alti- 
tude 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, 
go-zsIn. 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, 4-4in. long; terminal one male, slender, erect; re- 
mainder all female, spreading, ovoid or oblong, all sessile or the 
lowest very shortly pedunculate. Glumes ovate, obtuse or cuspi- 
date, 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 8. Nut obovoid, trigonous.— Trans. N.Z. Inst. 
xxiv. (1892) 415. 
_ Nort anp SourH Istanps, Strwart IsLanp: Apparently not uncommon 
in mountain districts throughout. 2000-4000 ft. December—February. 
