Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Cyperaceae Juss.
Genus
Carex L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Carex potens K.A.Ford in Global Carex Group, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 179: 35 (2015)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Uncinia riparia var. affinis Colenso ex C.B.Clarke, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 392 (1883)
  • ≡ Uncinia affinis (Colenso ex C.B.Clarke) Hamlin, 19: 30-31 (1959)
  • = Uncinia purpurata var. subcaespitosa Kük., Pflanzenr. (Engler) 38 , 38 (1909)
Etymology:
The name refers to the strong and harsh habit of this species.
 Description

Densely caespitose. Culms (10)–25–50–(80) cm. tall, 0.5–1 mm. diam., sharply trigonous, scabrid below infl., often drooping; basal sheaths dull dark brown. Lvs 3–4 per culm, = or slightly < culms, 1.5–2 mm. wide, yellow-green, margins harshly scabrid, slightly involute when dry. Spikes 5–11–(14) cm. long, female fls c. 15–20, lax, internodes 11 mm. long at base of spike, 3–6 mm. long above. Glumes ± = or rarely much < utricles, persistent, obtuse or lowermost subacute, coriac., pale brown. Utricles 6–7 × c. 1 mm., plano-convex, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, grey-brown, nerved, slightly contracted or cuneate at the base forming a stipe 1.5–2 mm. long, beak 2 mm. long.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2. as Uncinia affinis (C.B.Clarke) Hamlin]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Clarke, C.B. 1883: On Hemicarex Benth., and its Allies. Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany 20: 374–403.
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. [as Uncinia affinis (Colenso ex C.B.Clarke) Hamlin] [Not Threatened]
Global Carex Group 2015: Making Carex monophyletic (Cyperaceae, tribe Cariceae): a new broader circumscription. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 179: 1–42.
Hamlin, B.G. 1959: A Revision of the Genus Uncinia (Cyperaceae Caricoideae) in New Zealand. Dominion Museum Bulletin 19: 1–106.
Kükenthal, G. 1909: Cyperaceae - Caricoideae. In: Engler, H.G.A. (ed.) Das Pflanzenreich. Vol. Heft 38.