Oreobolus strictus
Common name
comb sedge
Synonyms
Oreobolus pumilio var. strictus (Bergg.) H.Pfeiff.
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.
ORESTR
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. North and South Islands from the Volcanic Plateau and adjacent axial ranges south.
Habitat
Coastal to alpine (up to 1500 m a.s.l.). Mostly alpine descending to sea level only in the west and southern South Island and Stewart Island. A common species of permanently sodden turf, cushion bogs, seepages and mires and poorly drained ground under low shrubs.
Features
Perennial sedge forming loose green or yellowish-green tufts 30-120 mm high. Stems much branched throughout, creeping and rooting at nodes. Leaves appearing to be but not quite distichous; lamina narrow-linear up to 0.5 mm wide, abaxial surface convex, only the median nerve prominent, adaxial surface channelled, median nerve visible but usually only towards the flattened apex, both surfaces with abundant stomata; sheath 3-5-nerved, nerves often red, apices of sheath truncate or produced upwards and lobed. Inflorescence a single spikelet, rarely 2; mature peduncle < or more or less = leaves in length. Glumes 3, red-tinged; the outer largest, foliaceous, the inner 2 shorter, more membranous, more or less equal. Hypogynous scales < nut, lanceolate, usually white with red markings, or pale brown. Nut 1.5 x 1.0 mm, light grey with a narrow, 3-pointed, pubescent, depression at the apex.
Similar taxa
Most likely to be confused with Oreobolus impar Edgar, from which it differs by its loosely tufted, creeping, rather than densely packed, erect stems, which root freely at the nodes; leaves with stomata on both surfaces; and hypogynous scales < nut in length. Oreobolus strictus differs from O. pectinatus Hook.f. by the loosely tufted, creeping habit, longer leaves that are not always arranged distichously; by the median nerve visible on the base of the leaf at the widest part of the lamina; and by the usually red tinged glumes.
Flowering
October - December
Fruiting
November - April (-May)
Propagation technique
Easily grown from rooted pieces and probably from fresh seed. However, this species is best grown in a cooler climate or kept in a pot within an alpine house. it is very slow growing.
Etymology
oreobolus: Mountain clump
strictus: From the Latin strictus ‘upright, stiff’
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
Attribution
Description adapted from Moore and Edgar (1970).
References and further reading
Moore, L.B.; Edgar, E. 1970: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Government Printer, Wellington.