- ≡ Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. (1773)
- = Kyllinga monocephala auct. non Rottb. nom. illeg.
Rhizome far-extending, with reddish-purple scales. Stems 1–30 cm high, slender, with 1–4 basal leaves. Leaves < stems, 1–2.5 mm wide, flat. Involucral bracts 2–4, leaf-like, spreading. Inflorescence a solitary sessile spike, rarely 2–3 spikes, ovoid or globose, 4–8 × 3–7 mm, greenish. Spikelets numerous, ± 3 mm long, each with 2 glumes but only 1 glume fertile, tightly clustered, much-compressed. Glumes membranous, with green keel produced to an excurrent recurved mucro, lower glume with 3 distinct nerves on each side, slightly < upper fertile glume which has 2 distinct nerves on each side. Stamen 1. Style-branches 2. Nut ± ½ length of glume, biconvex, obovoid or oblong-obovoid, light yellow-brown.
[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3 as Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk.]