Carex corynoidea
Common name
bastard grass, fish hooks
Synonyms
Uncinia clavata (Kük.) Hamlin; Uncinia australis Pers. var. clavata Kük.; Uncinia uncinata (Linn.f.) Kük. var, clavata (Kük.) Kük.
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.
UNCCLA
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 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North and South Islands, from about the Hunua Ranges south
Habitat
A species of montane forest, scrub and on river flats
Features
Robust, dark green to yellow-green plants. Leaves 5–9 per culm, usually > culms, 4-6(-8) mm wide, strongly scabrid on the margins and on the adaxial surface towards tip. Spikes 50-140 mm long, usually bracteate, clavate, 7-10(-15) mm diameter at the top below the male spike, female flowers numerous, usually c. 65-100, very closely crowded throughout almost the whole spike, internodes 0.5-4.0mm long but up to 8 mm long at base of spike. Glumes =, > or rarely < utricles, deciduous, narrow-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, coriaceous or subcoriaceous, yellowish brown to dark brown, midrib green. Utricles 5.0-7.0 × 1.5-2.0 mm, plano-convex to subtrigonous, ovate, yellow-brown to dark brown when ripe, one to two lateral nerves prominent and lighter coloured, stipe 1.5-2.0 mm long, beak 1.5-2.0 mm long; spreading widely when ripe.
Similar taxa
Most closely allied to Carex megalepis K.A.Fordand C. uncinata L.f. Of both species it is most closely allied to Carex megalepis from which it differs by the yellow or dark brown rather than golden yellow or rust-coloured glumes which are equal to or only slightly greater in length (rather than twice as long) than the utricles, and by the widely rather than scarcely spreading utricles. Carex uncinata differs by the usually narrower spikes, early deciduous rather than longer lasting deciduous glumes, which are usually much shorter than the utricles
Flowering
October - December
Fruiting
November - April
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.
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 corynoidea Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/carex-corynoidea/ (Date website was queried)