Cyperus gunnii Hook.f.

Tufted clump, shortly rhizomatous; rhizome stout, woody, c. 1 cm diam. with dark brown scales. Stems to c. 1 m high, tough, 3-angled, smooth, c. 3 mm diam., thickened and leafy at base. Leaves ± = or < stems, c. 4 mm wide, channelled, conspicuously septate-nodulose, margins ± sparsely scabrid, tip ± pungent; sheaths reddish-brown, septate-nodulose. Involucral bracts much > inflorescence, c. 3, leaf-like, unequal, 2 lowermost much the longest. Inflorescence a compound umbel with several rays to 5 cm long. Spikelets numerous, to 10 × 1.5 mm, in ± loose, hemispherical red-brown spikes; rhachilla hardly winged. Glumes ± 2.5 mm long, obtuse, strongly nerved. Stamens 3. Style-branches 3. Nut slightly < glume, obtusely trigonous, greyish-brown.

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