Carex aucklandica
Common name
Subantarctic hook grass
Synonyms
Uncinia aucklandica Hamlin
Family
Cyperaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Sedges
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
UNCAUC
Chromosome number
2n = 88
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: DP, RR
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: South (South Otago, Fiordland), Stewart, Auckland and Campbell Islands
Habitat
forest and shrubland from sea level to 900 m a.s.l. Occasionally extending into tussock grassland (Poa/Chionochloa) where it has been found sympatric with U. hookeri on the Auckland and Campbell Islands
Features
Slender tufts, shoots < 1mm diameter at base (including sheaths), often rather distant from an ascending rhizome < 1 mm diameter. Culms 50-400 mm long, much < 0.5 mm diameter, glabrous; basal bracts dull, dark reddish brown. Leaves 4–7 per culm, ± = culms, 0.5–1 mm wide, yellow-green, scabrid on margins and adaxial surface towards the long filiform tip. Spikes 25-50 × 2-3 mm, occasionally bracteate, female flowers c. 10-20, internodes to 5 mm long at base of spike, 1.5-2.0 mm long above. Glumes = or slightly < utricles, deciduous, ovate-lanceolate, subacute, membranous, pale cream or brown with a green midrib. Utricles 5-6 mm long, slightly < 1 mm diameter, plano-convex or subtrigonous to trigonous, narrow oblong-lanceolate, light green, shining, nerved but often very faintly so on the two abaxial surfaces, usually erect when ripe, slightly narrowed to a stipe 1.0-1.5 mm long, beak gradually tapered, only slightly narrower than utricle, 1.0-1.5 mm long
Similar taxa
Carex aucklandica is closely allied to C. erebus K.A.Ford from which it chiefly differs by its weakly stoloniferous, less markedly tussock-forming growth habit, narrower leaves and spikes, and by the lighter coloured, mature utricles which remaining tightly clasping the inflorescence axis rather than spreading widely.
Flowering
November - December
Fruiting
December - February
Propagation technique
Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants (though these may then take a while to settle). Prefers a shaded site, and should be planted within a deep, rich, free draining but permanently moist soil
Etymology
carex: Latin name for a species of sedge, now applied to the whole group.
aucklandica: Of the Auckland Islands
Where To Buy
Not Commercially Available
Attribution
Description adapted from Moore and Edgar (1970). Fact sheet prepared by Peter J. de Lange 17 August 2006.
References and further reading
Moore, L.B.; Edgar, E. 1970: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Government Printer, Wellington.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Carex aucklandica Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/carex-aucklandica/ (Date website was queried)